Belize City Man Remanded Over Employer’s Missing Vehicle

A Belize City man is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after allegedly taking his employer’s vehicle without permission and failing to return it.  Thirty-eight-year-old John Alexander Roches Hendy was arraigned earlier this week before a Senior Magistrate in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with taking a conveyance without authority. No plea was taken due to the nature of the offense.  Hendy, who appeared unrepresented, was granted bail in the sum of three thousand dollars plus one surety. However, he was unable to meet those conditions and has been remanded to prison. He is scheduled to return to court on June 17.  According to police reports, the complaint was made by William Edward Penn, a sixty-nine-year-old Canadian national residing in the Ladyville area. Penn told investigators that on the morning of April 16, Hendy, an employee, left to carry out routine duties within the village, driving a black 2015 Commander Jeep valued at fifteen thousand dollars.  The vehicle, along with several tools including a weed eater, post hole digger, and machete, was not returned, prompting a report to police the following day. Authorities say Penn indicated that Hendy did not have permission to use the vehicle beyond his assigned duties.  An investigation was launched, and an all-points bulletin was issued. Later that same day, police in San Ignacio reportedly found the vehicle in Hendy’s possession and impounded it. He was subsequently handed over to Ladyville police and formally charged.  Hendy remains in custody pending his next court appearance, as the matter proceeds through the judicial system.