Police in Rural Belize are on an intensive hunt for Tyrone Davis, who is believed to have been one of two robbers who attacked a pastor’s wife, Betty Westby, 51, and her family at their Crooked Tree home a little after 7:00 this past Wednesday night.

Mrs. Westby, the wife of Pastor Maurice Westby, who ministers at the Ladyville Baptist Church, recognized the suspect when the hooded sweater that he wore to conceal his identity came off during a courageous struggle she had with him, after Davis had forcefully entered her house and attempted to kill her during the aggravated burglary two days ago.

 

 

The knife-wielding burglar apparently was unnerved by Mrs. Westby’s unwavering resolve to protect herself, her mother, Vilma Wade, 82, and her 14-year old son, who were all at home at the time, and he and his accomplice, who had waited outside, left the house without causing injury to anyone.

Nevertheless, Davis, who was reportedly familiar with the home because he had been hired by Pastor Westby during the Easter holidays to assist with the expansion of the wooden residence, still allegedly managed to steal Pastor Maurice Westby’s licensed .22 rifle with six rounds of ammunition, as he and his accomplice fled the scene of the break-in.

While police are engaged in an active search for him, Tyrone Davis remains at large, and the community is therefore advised that the suspect is armed and dangerous.

(Note: In our last issue, we mistakenly used the surname “Leslie” in referring to Pastor Westby and his wife, Betty. We apologize for the error.)