By Breaking Belize News Staff: A former prison officer accused of stealing $150 will remain behind bars unless his family can settle the outstanding balance on old court fines before his scheduled release date.
Mark Marcello Lopez, 26, of Croton Lane, Belize City, appeared before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2 on Wednesday in relation to a pending theft charge. Lopez is accused of stealing $150 from a man on November 18, 2025.
Lopez pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on November 24, 2025, and was offered bail of $800. However, old outstanding fines totaling $800 reportedly resulted in a warrant being issued for him to serve eight months in prison when he could not pay.
In court, Lopez told the Senior Magistrate that he understands he has about $350 remaining on the old fines. He asked whether he could be released if his family paid the balance this week, noting that prison authorities have advised him that his earliest release date is July 18, 2026.
The Senior Magistrate explained that Lopez’s relatives would need to visit the court to confirm the exact amount still owed. Once the remaining balance is paid, the court said, Lopez can be released on the $800 bail previously granted for the theft charge.
Lopez was escorted back to the Belize Central Prison at the end of the proceeding to continue serving time for the outstanding fines.
His trial for theft has been set for September 17, 2026, in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court.
The post Former prison officer now on the other side of the jail cell awaiting theft trial over unpaid court fines appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A former prison officer accused of stealing $150 will remain behind bars unless his family can settle the outstanding balance on old court fines before his scheduled release date. Mark Marcello Lopez, 26, of Croton Lane, Belize City, appeared before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2 on Wednesday in relation
The post Former prison officer now on the other side of the jail cell awaiting theft trial over unpaid court fines appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.