Shakeem Richards, a member of the Belize Coast Guard, was arrested and charged with robbery for his involvement in an armed holdup that took place at the Puma Gas Station at the corner of Fabers Road Extension and the George Price Highway.

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Mon. July 11, 2022
Shakeem Richards, a member of the Belize Coast Guard, was arrested and charged with robbery after it was found that he was with a group of men who carried out an armed holdup at the Puma Gas Station at the corner of Fabers Road Extension and the George Price Highway around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 7.
Orlando Martinez, 38, the manager of the gas station, told police that two masked men who were armed with guns, entered the establishment’s main office, moments before closing time.
The robbers took an undisclosed amount of money and a cell phone before fleeing in a Nissan Xterra SUV. However, due to the quick response of the police, the getaway vehicle was abandoned by the fleeing robbers and was found two lots away on Lacroix Boulevard in the Lake Independence area with cash inside a white bag.
Over the weekend, police were able to arrest and charge 23-year-old Shakeem Richards of Hattieville, who is believed to be the person who was driving the getaway vehicle, in connection with this robbery.
Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), told AMANDALA that Richards is not known to be a troublemaker within the BCG or to have a criminal record. Rear-Admiral Bennett also told us that Richards will be subject to the Coast Guard’s internal disciplinary process.
So far, only Richards has been charged in connection with the robbery.