By Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 23, 2026
Sometime between Thursday night, February 19, and Friday morning, thieves entered the compound of Sadie Vernon Technical High School, located on Amandala Drive and made off with a safe containing nearly $500, along with other miscellaneous items from the school’s Bursar’s office.
The culprits reportedly entered the compound by navigating past a locked gate at the back of the school, which connects with the Lake Independence Public Library. They then entered a building’s tiny bathroom window that leads to the Vice Principal’s office and the Bursar’s office.
They proceeded to steal a safe containing under $500 in cash, along with USB drives containing delicate information belonging to teachers and staff members, two Belize Bank cheque books, and other school items.
“The money was the only thing that they stole,” said Samson Jacobs, Vice Principal at Sadie Vernon. “My computer was on my desk, the projector, and everything was in here, and that was the only thing that they took. We believe it was maybe two people who came in; and from the images that we saw, it was two people, and one of them carrying the objects on their shoulders,” he added.
According to Jacobs, only a handful of people know the safe’s whereabouts; and those who do know are comprised of students who would routinely come to see the bursar to inquire about their financial status or concerns.
“Sometimes they would come to her to print work or to query a bill or pay something, then they would see that; but more than likely, it seems like an inside job, because somebody from outside wouldn’t know that the safe is there,” he said.
“This affects us mentally, because that day I went on a complete shutdown; because, for me, Sadie Vernon exists as a second home to give young men, especially, a chance at an education. More than likely, it wasn’t a female; it has to be two young men … We need to bounce back; of course, it will cost us. We need to strategize and look at safety on our campus,” Jacobs continued. Jacobs is pleading with the community for assistance in terms of security efforts. A police report is yet to be made.