By Belize Live News Staff: Officers responding to a burglary report in downtown Belize City ended up taking a loaded gun off the streets instead.
Police say a constable and two BDF soldiers left their checkpoint on New Road just before 3:00am on Tuesday after being alerted to a burglary in progress near North Front Street and Pickstock Street.
Before they reached the scene, a masked man dressed in black came running in their direction from Rhaburn Alley with what appeared to be a gun in his hand.
The officer ordered him to drop it. He did, and was arrested on the spot.
The firearm turned out to be a brown Sig Sauer P320 pistol loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a mix of Luger and S&W brands. The gun, magazine and ammunition were sealed as exhibits.
The man was identified as 20 year old Jahdey Castillo. He declined to make a phone call and refused to sign any of the police documents.
On Wednesday, police formally charged him with keeping a firearm and ammunition without a gun licence.
Police have not said whether he is being investigated in connection with the reported burglary.
