Police in Orange Walk investigating the burglary of Luda’s Store in that town have arrested and charged a man of Orange Walk who they believe was responsible for the crime.

Victor Luna, 25, was charged with handling stolen goods and keeping an unlicensed firearm. He was taken to the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and was remanded until January 30 next year, when he is to return to court.

Inspector Julius Canton, Deputy Commander of Orange Walk police, said that Luda’s Store, located at the corner of Belize/Corozal Road and Guadalupe Street in Orange Walk, was burglarized about 1:30 Friday morning, and the thieves got away with about $7,000 in cash and phone cards, and a 9mm pistol.

At about 1:30 Saturday morning, investigators were patrolling by Cats Place, on Lovers Lane, when they spotted a man who started to run when he saw them coming. Police immediately pursued him. The man ran behind Cats bar and jumped over the fence, but the police officers continued their chase.

Police claim that during the chase, they saw him take out an object from his pocket and throw it away. They caught him not long after that. The man was identified as Victor Luna of Orange Walk, who was known to them.

Police said that they searched him, but nothing incriminating was found on his person. They then took him back to the area where he threw away the object, which was recovered, and which turned out to be a black 9mm pistol.

Luna was immediately arrested and taken to the Orange Walk Police Station, where the gun was checked, and it was found to be the same gun reported stolen from Luda’s Store.

Luna was then charged.