Monje was killed by a chain snatcher when he came to the aid of the female victim
BELMOPAN, Cayo District, Mon. May 14, 2018– Miguel Monje, 23, a bartender and a father of two children, lost his life after being stabbed in his armpit by a chain snatcher.
Information to us is that the incident occurred as the Cabaña Night Club was about to close at about 3:00 Friday morning. The patrons in the club were already going outside, when one of the men snatched a chain from the neck of a woman.
The woman began shouting for help and Monje and his friend, Dennis Monterrosa, intervened. They saw the thief, who was running away, and they pursued him and caught him on Sultana Street, not far from the club.
The three became involved in an altercation, as Monje and Monterrosa tried to recover the chain from the thief.
However, the thief took out a knife and stabbed Monje in his armpit, and sliced Monterrosa in the head.
Police officers who were in the area rushed to the scene and arrested the thief. Monje and Monterrosa were taken to the Western Regional Hospital, where Monje was declared dead on arrival. He apparently had bled to death.
On the other hand, Monterrosa, 19, was admitted to the ward in a serious but stable condition.
The chain snatcher was taken to the police station, where he was identified as 36-year-old Richard Hyde, a butcher of Camalote, Cayo District.
Today, police announced that Hyde has been arrested and charged with murder for the stabbing death of Monje, and that he will also be charged for cutting Monterrosa in the head.
Hyde was arraigned today, Monday, for murder at the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, and was remanded until July 30.
Monje’s family is devastated by his sudden death. They described him as being a very respectful young man who loved to help people.
A cousin of his said that he was stabbed because he had a good heart, and wanted to help the woman who had been robbed.
His family said that he will be remembered as a loving and helpful person.
Richard Hyde, the suspected killer of Monje, reportedly has a high-profile robbery case before the court.