ComPol Rosado says police investigating Joseph Budna’s “apprehension” by Guatemala; confirms witness made report after alleged kidnapping

Posted: Sunday, August 24, 2025. 12:10 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The Office of the Commissioner of Police says Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) has confirmed that Joseph Ryan Budna, 45, is in their custody pursuant to an arrest warrant, but crucially, “…however they have not disclosed the details surrounding his apprehension.”

The Department is now officially investigating what happened on Friday night, August 22, around 9 p.m. on Hospital Crescent in Orange Walk Town where Budna was last seen in Belize.

An official report was filed by a witness who observed “a confrontation involving several individuals, one of whom matched the description of (Mr.) Budna, who was subsequently placed into a dark-colored SUV bearing a Belize City license plate.”

The Department initiated an investigation including processing the scene and canvassing for additional witnesses and impounding and examining a vehicle of interest as well as video footage from the area.

While there is no comment on an alleged audio recording by Budna saying Belize Police officers facilitated his alleged abduction, the Department urges “caution and responsibility by verifying all information through our official channels before dissemination.” It adds that unverified claims may hamper the active investigation by “diverting crucial investigative resources.”

The Department asks that those with direct information related to the incident to contact Police in Orange Walk Town or Crimestoppers at 922 TIPS.

It should be noted that Budna, in addition to facing criminal charges in Belize, was on the run after escaping a prison sentence in Guatemala issued in 2013 and was also wanted by Interpol for an incident of interest to the U.S.

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The post ComPol Rosado says police investigating Joseph Budna’s “apprehension” by Guatemala; confirms witness made report after alleged kidnapping appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Sunday, August 24, 2025. 12:10 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: The Office of the Commissioner of Police says Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) has confirmed
The post ComPol Rosado says police investigating Joseph Budna’s “apprehension” by Guatemala; confirms witness made report after alleged kidnapping appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.