By Aaron Humes: A 14-year-old girl from Guatemala has been successfully rescued in Belize after being held captive for over 100 days. The operation, led by the Belize Special Assignment Group (B-SAG) in collaboration with Police, took place early Wednesday morning in the vicinity of San Roman village, Stann Creek District.
The girl was reported missing in January of this year from her home in Peten, Guatemala. Police launched a search after receiving intelligence regarding her whereabouts, which led to the execution of “Operation Safe Return.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, stated, “The team of officers visited the location however the suspect who is now being sought, namely José Gilberto Duarte, was able to flee; however, we were able to rescue the female. As a part of the investigation, we have also communicated with the Guatemalan counterparts and we have also involved the Human Services Department in relation to victim care and repatriation.”
Despite Duarte’s escape, police were able to recover an unlicensed shotgun and several rounds of ammunition left behind at the scene. When asked if there was a possibility the girl could have been killed had the operation not taken place, ASP Smith replied, “I do not know, I know she was in custody or captive of that person for over 106 days, so I don’t know if that would have been the intention. We are very grateful that the officer received that information and that intelligence was passed on and the commissioner sanctioned the operation and we are grateful that it resulted in her recovery. She’s in relatively well physical condition, however we did note some lacerations to her body.”
Post-rescue assessments indicated that the minor is in relatively good physical condition, although she exhibited some lacerations on her body. She has since been handed over to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit for care and repatriation.
Police are now investigating the circumstance surrounding the abductor, as police reportedly found Belizean identification documents, including a social security card and a voter’s ID at the residence during the raid. This discovery raises questions about how the fugitive, a Guatemalan national, acquired such documents. Also under question is whether this is part of a larger criminal operation in the region.
Police are urging anyone with additional information about José Gilberto Duarte to come forward as the search for the fugitive continues.
The post ‘Operation Safe Return’: Elite tactical unit recovers teenage girl; kidnapper still at large appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: A 14-year-old girl from Guatemala has been successfully rescued in Belize after being held captive for over 100 days. The operation, led by the Belize Special Assignment Group (B-SAG) in collaboration with Police, took place early Wednesday morning in the vicinity of San Roman village, Stann Creek District. The girl was reported
The post ‘Operation Safe Return’: Elite tactical unit recovers teenage girl; kidnapper still at large appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
