Two Charged in Corozal Butane Company Robbery

Police in the Corozal District have arrested and charged two young men in connection with the aggravated robbery of a butane company in the Chula Vista area of Corozal Town.

Authorities report that the robbery occurred earlier this week when the business was targeted by armed suspects. Following investigations, police detained two Corozal Town residents, who have since been formally charged for aggravated robbery.  Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith says the arrests were the result of coordinated investigative work and quick police response.

ACP Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Police have formally arrested and jointly charged 20 year old Jair Rancharan and 37 year old Armando Villanueva both of Corozal Town for the chimer of robbery. The arrests of Rancharan and Villanueva follows police’s investigation into the robbery of Western Gas Station located in the Chulas Vista area of Corozal Town. The investigation commenced at approximately 2:27pm when it was reported that two male persons, one of whom was armed with a firearm went to that establishment and with the use of threat demanded that the attendant hand over the proceeds of the day’s sales. Being in fear the attendant complied and the male persons made good their escape. This matter was reported to police and police’s response included dispatching an investigative team at the scene of the incident with a view of reviewing the available footage and it also included mobilizing a joint operational team which was done with a view to cordoning the area and creating a drag net. Based on the investigation and the use of drone the police officers were able, some one hour after the incident, to apprehend these two male persons Villanueva and Rancharan and in Mr.Rancharan’s possession police found a .38 revolver which also contained six live rounds of .38 caliber ammunition whilst Mr.Villanueva was found in possession of items believed to be the proceeds of the robbery. It must be noted also that the firearm that was recovered is believed to be that which was stolen from a security guard in a robbery with occurred in December of 2025. We have since submitted he firearm to the National Forensics and Science Services Laboratory to be able to confirm that. Given the discovery that was made on Rancharan, Rancharan was additionally charged for Kept Firearm without a gun license, kept ammunition without a gun license and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.”

Love News understands that the December robbery refers to a matter where a 63-year-old security guard accosted on his way home.  In this incident, the weapon taken from Rancharan is suspected to be the one stolen.