When 32 year old Stephen Lopez received instructions this morning to report to the Spanish Lookout branch of Scotiabank, he had already sensed that something bad was going to happen. Lopez had worked all night at Belize Natural Energy, where he is normally stationed, but after a foiled robbery attempt last week at a business in the community, the firm assigned him to the location to cover for another officer who did not show up.
So at around 8:30 when five masked armed men entered the bank and ordered everyone on the floor the moment that he had dreaded had arrived. He ran but was not lucky because as he tried to reach the Spanish Lookout Police Station right beside the bank, he was shot five times. Lopez fell to the ground and died minutes later, his blood gushing onto the pavement.
Lopez’ pregnant wife, 23 year old Shaily Lopez, is due to have their first child any day now. She was overwhelmed when she received the news. At first, Lopez could not talk, and only sobbed uncontrollably at the scene. Later when she recouped she told reporters that her husband was eagerly anticipating the birth of their child. She angrily lashed out at the bank which hired unarmed security guards.
When the incident happened, a customer who was inside the bank was also robbed of $10, 000. The startled customers were all ordered to lie down as the robbers went about their business. Tow customers who tried to drive off in a small black car were also fired on by the robbers, and one unidentified person in the car is hospitalized in critical condition, while another was apparently injured, though not as seriously. Within minutes the five masked men were gone in a white Suzuki sidekick that they stole.
Chairperson of Spanish Lookout Community, Allen Reimer, told the media that last Friday five robbers attempted a similar robbery at a business in the community. He said that the Mennonite community will look at ways to screen visitors to the place.
San Ignacio Police Chief, Superintendent Paul Wade said they are now reviewing video images which the bank's surveillance camera picked up. With help from a private citizen who provided a chopper, they are also looking for the getaway vehicle.
The robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of money from the bank's vault as well as the $10,000 from a customer who was making a deposit. The bank has put up a sign saying it will be closed until the police investigation is completed.
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Source: The Belize Times
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