Belize Coast Guard Officer Charged in Caye Caulker Robbery Case

A Belize Coast Guard officer has been arrested and charged in connection with a robbery reported in Caye Caulker. Police say thirty-three-year-old Anthony Agustus Neal was formally arrested and charged today with abetment to commit robbery. The charge followed an investigation into a complaint made by Caye Caulker resident Jia Ai Hu. Police say evidence gathered during the investigation allegedly linked Neal to the offence.

The charge of abetment means Neal is not accused of personally carrying out the robbery, but of allegedly assisting, encouraging or facilitating its commission. Police have not yet released the date or full circumstances of the robbery, what was reportedly stolen, whether a weapon was involved, or whether investigators are seeking additional suspects.  Neal is expected to be taken before the court to answer the charge. This is the second unrelated criminal case involving a Coast Guard member reported this week. Twenty-nine-year-old Sheffan Devan Hemmans was previously charged with aggravated burglary in connection with the theft of a pickup truck in Hattieville.