They invaded the homes of two men, and beat and robbed them

Three men who impersonated police officers to gain entry into the homes of two men whom they beat and robbed in separate incidents in Orange Walk Town, have been remanded by the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court on Friday, July, 26, to the Belize Central Prison until Friday, August 23, on charges of aggravated burglary and maim.

The men are Elvis McCoy and Densmore Bowman, both of Belmopan; and Justin Young of Belize City. The violent home invasions occurred on Sunday night, July 21, in Orange Walk, and the men were arrested and detained on Wednesday, July 24.

Orange Walk police said that about 9:30 that Sunday night, three men who posed as policemen went into the homes of Juan Carlos Novelo and Julio Valerio, both residents of Orange Walk.

Novelo told police that he was at home when three men posing as policemen knocked on his door and gained entry to his house when he opened his door. He reported that one of the men hit him twice in the back of the head and in his back.

The victim told police that once in the house, the men demanded money and drugs. They ransacked the house looking for money and found $175, then they left the house.

Shortly after, about 11:30 that same Sunday night, three men went to Julio Valerio’s home posing as policemen. Valerio told police that when he opened his door, the men entered. The men then beat him in the head and face with a gun butt and demanded money.

His house was searched, and the thieves found an undisclosed amount of money, which they stole, and then they left. Police later went to the scene of the crime and took Valerio to the Orange Walk Hospital, where he was admitted to ward.

Police investigation led to the arrest of the three men on Wednesday, July 24, in Orange Walk Town. Police said that when the men were taken into custody, they cooperated. The bandits were driving a white car that was impounded by police.

Court reports are that in March this year, Densmore Bowman, of Belmopan, was taken to the Belmopan Supreme Court, where he appeared before Justice Adolph Lucas, and an attorney applied for bail on his behalf.

Bowman had been charged by Belmopan police in connection with the robbery of a bar in the Salvapan area of Belmopan on February 2. However, after reviewing the application, Justice Lucas denied bail, citing the prevalence of the crime.

Bowman was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until May 7, after which bail was granted and he was released.