Posted: Monday, March 3, 2025. 7:30 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Four Belizean men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the 2019 armed robbery of Chef Master Restaurant on Saint Thomas Street. The Chief Magistrate, Jayani Wegodapola, handed down individual sentences on Tuesday following the conclusion of their trial.
The convicted men are Kareem Heusner, 36, Raheem Brandon Budram, 24, Alton Garcia, 29, and Frank Lizama, 24. They were found guilty of three charges: armed robbery, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license.
For the armed robbery conviction, Budram, Heusner, and Garcia each received four years out of a possible nine-year sentence, while Lizama received two years. Their sentences will run consecutively with any other sentences they are currently serving. Additionally, for possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license, they each received three years on each count. However, the three-year sentence for firearm possession will run consecutively with their other sentences, while the three-year sentence for ammunition possession will run concurrently with the firearm sentence.
In total, Budram and Garcia will serve six years in prison, Heusner will serve six years and eight months, and Lizama, who received the lowest sentence, will serve four years, seven months, and two weeks. The men have 21 days to appeal their conviction.
Last Friday, February 28, mitigation pleas were heard on behalf of the four men, with character witnesses speaking in their defense. Budram’s father, Marlon Budram, testified that his son was a good person who had made a mistake but was on the right path. Budram himself expressed remorse and presented rehabilitation certificates from the Kolbe Foundation’s Creedon Program.
Heusner’s father and brother also testified on his behalf. Garcia, a father of three, became emotional in court, pleading for leniency so he could provide for his children. His father and the mother of his children also testified in his defense.
Lizama, a former Youth Cadet and volunteer BDF soldier, also broke down in tears. His parents, including his retired BDF father, Francis Cobb Lizama, attested to his character, saying he was caught up in the crime due to bad influences. His mother, Susan Lamb, pleaded for leniency so he could raise his children.
The robbery took place on July 11, 2019, when the group of men stormed Chef Master Restaurant, stealing cash and a firearm from businessman He Chen. The prosecution presented evidence from Cpl. Dyke Rodriguez, Chen, and three other witnesses. On July 12, 2019, at approximately 12:05 a.m., the six accused men were detained and charged.
Initially, the men faced multiple charges, including gang-related offenses and handling stolen goods. However, the prosecution withdrew the gang-related charges due to a lack of evidence. The Chief Magistrate ruled that there was insufficient proof that the crime was committed for gang-related purposes.
The four convicted men were charged alongside Shane Budram, Raheem Budram’s uncle, and Delroy Chaplin, both of whom are now deceased.
While police recovered two firearms, only one—a black .380 Auto Glock pistol belonging to Chen—was linked to the crime. The defendants were ultimately convicted for possessing this stolen firearm and its ammunition.
The four men have expressed their intent to appeal their convictions, maintaining their claims of rehabilitation and change. Whether their sentences will be overturned or reduced remains to be seen in the coming weeks.
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The post Four men sentenced for armed robbery of Belize restaurant appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, March 3, 2025. 7:30 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Four Belizean men have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the
The post Four men sentenced for armed robbery of Belize restaurant appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.