Photo: Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Vasquez and Carlos Francisco Morales Jara

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Oct. 11, 2023

Tonight, two Mexican nationals are on remand at the Belize Central Prison after they were charged jointly in connection with the theft of two $60,000 vehicles, property of Budget Auto Rental. They were denied bail because they are considered flight risks, since they have no Belize City address at which they would reside if they remained in Belize.

The men—28-year-old Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Vasquez and 37-year-old Carlos Francisco Morales Jara—are both Mexican businessmen.

The duo appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2 this morning, where they were read separate charges in connection with the theft of the two vehicles.

First to be arraigned was Vasquez. He was read two counts of theft. Allegations are that on July 21, he dishonestly appropriated a white Kia Sorento 2020 four-door vehicle, valued at $60,000; and on July 22, 2023, he dishonestly appropriated a white Equinox 2022 four-door vehicle, valued at $60,000, both properties of Budget Auto Rental.

Second to be arraigned was Morales, who was read two counts of abetment to theft. Allegations being made against Morales are that he purposely aided Vasquez in the commission of a crime—the alleged theft of the two vehicles.

Prosecutor in the case, Sgt. Kennard Clark informed the court that a plea would not be taken from the two accused men at the current time, as he was awaiting directives from his superior as to whether or not the matter will be tried on indictment or summarily due to the value of the stolen goods being over $50,000.

In light of that, the Senior Magistrate did not take a plea from the duo.

As previously mentioned, Prosecutor Clark objected to bail being offered to the two accused Mexican nationals, as they were considered to be flight risks, since they did not have any Belize address and were only able to furnish the court with their Mexican addresses.

The Senior Magistrate also explained to the Mexicans that their status is unknown at this time, and so the Belize City Immigration Department will be contacted.

For now, the Mexicans are on remand at the Belize Central Prison until their next court date set for October 23, 2023.

When Morales heard that he would be remanded, he then told the court that he would be pleading guilty to the charges.

However, while he wanted to plead guilty, the Senior Magistrate of Court #2 informed them that, even though one of them indicated that he wanted to plead guilty, the guilty plea could not be accepted at the time, since no plea could be taken until further directives are received on how to proceed with the matter.

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Catherine Murillo, 51, a Belizean office administrator for Budget Auto Rental, visited the Ladyville Police Station and made a report of the theft of two motor vehicles.

Murillo told police that on July 21, 2023 at about 6:20 p.m., Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Vasquez, 28, a Mexican national and student of Mexico City, visited their office, which is located at the Philip Goldson International Airport, and rented a white Kia Sorento 2020 4-door SUV with license plate number BC C-73305 valued at $60,000.00 BZ, (which was covered by third-party risk insurance provided by RF&G Insurance) for five days, from July 21 to 25, 2023, and paid $1,010.26 with his credit card

On July 22, 2023, at about 9:00 a.m., Vazquez returned to the office and rented another vehicle, this time, a white Chevrolet Equinox 2021 4DR SUV with license plate BC C-73075 valued at $60,000.00 BZ (which was covered by RF&G third-party risk insurance for three days) from July 22-24, 2023, and paid $465.76 BZ with his credit card.

According to Mrs. Murillo, she had tried to get in contact with Vasquez; however, the calls she made did not go through, and up to the time Murillo made the report, Vasquez had not returned either vehicle that he had rented in his name.

Police launched an investigation into the matter, and a “wanted-person” poster for Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Vasquez, 28, a Mexico City resident, was sent out to all police formations, which led to the arrest of Vasquez, who was with another male, identified as Mexican national, 37-year-old Carlos Francisco Morales Jara.