Breaking News: Salazar and Edwards wanted in connection to murder/robbery

An official police report states: Investigation continues into the robbery which happened on March 30th, 2010 at the Scotia Bank, Spanish Lookout Branch. Police visited said bank where on arrival, Steven Lopez, 32-year-old, security guard for KBH and a resident of United Ville Village, Cayo District was seen lying motionless on the ground with what appeared to be a single gun shot wound to the right side of his abdomen. Initial investigation revealed that on said date a white in color Suzuki Sidekick with license plate SI-C00178 drove into the bank’s compound where three armed masked persons alighted the vehicle where one of the men, who was armed with a single action shotgun, fired a single shot towards Lopez fatally injuring him. The second security guard Theodoro Dano was assaulted at gun point and forced inside the bank whilst the other two were inside the bank demanding money. The bank manager and employees were then escorted at gun point to the vault where the robbers made off with $300,000bcy in different denominations. At the same time, Lizburn Andrews drove into the bank’s compound and was robbed of $10,000bcy after which they made good their escape on board the Suzuki towards Los Tambos Area.

Alexander Edwards

Intense Police investigations led to the discovery of the Suzuki in the Valley of Peace Village Area. Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for Alexander Edwards, 26-years-old and Gabriel Salazar, 24-years-old of a San Pedro Address whom are considered armed and dangerous and are wanted for questioning in regards to the incident.

Gabriel Salazar

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Students volunteer at the Library

University of North Carolina Wilmington students volunteered at the San Pedro Public Library while on break from teaching students in the local schools.Working with the librarians they arranged different Easter activities such as arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, and story time.

Vote for Tatiana

Miss Piel Dorada Internacional has a Belize representative in the form of Miss Tatiana Rivero. Vote for her now.

Piel Dorada “Golden Skin”, is a TV special that invites models from around the world, with internationally acclaimed photographers in some of the most exotic landscapes, to be filmed for a week of competition, culminating with the coronation of the “Sun Goddess”. The pageant focuses on the beauty of the skin. It includes interviews, costumes, evening gown, as well as, a swimsuit segment.

21-years-old Tatiana Rivero, resident of San Pedro Town is studied in the field of Business Administration. She received her Associates Degree from the Corozal Junior College, where she was also crowned Miss. CJC in 2006. Ms. Rivero is presently working at the San Pedro Belize Bank Branch Office, as a secretary in the Loans Department.

Xanadu Resort featured on NBC

Xanadu Resort was featured on NBC garnering the resort great exposure. It comes in light of the resort being featured on Travel and Leisure. NBC features "Best Bargain for Beach Getaways."

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Math Olympiad champs are honored by SPTC, Mayor Paz and the Town

The San Pedro High School (SPHS) Math Olympiad champs were honored this afternoon by Mayor Elsa Paz and the San Pedro Town Council. On behalf of San Pedro Town, the students received glass plaques, a cash prize while the alternates received certificates and a cash prize.

Congratulations to the students and San Pedro High School. Mayor Paz expressed her sincere pride in what the students accomplished.

The SPHS students who participated in the Senior division were: Jing Han (4C) and Vicky Balam (4C), their alternates were Lucio Nuñez (3A) and Cindy Novelo (3C). In the Junior division the two participants were: Emily Gomez (2A) and Ismael Kay (2E) and their alternates were Walter Tut (1C) and Yanni Garcia (2G).

San Pedro Earth Hour 2010 celebrated

The students of San Pedro Junior College took part in organizing Earth Hour 2010. It started with a Candlelit parade at the Boca del Rio Park and then everyone made their way to the Old Football Field where the celebrations continued.

Earth Hour is an inititative that started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and continues yearly. It brings to light the issues affecting our world on Global Warming. During the hour, everyone is asked to kindly turn off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Businesses on the island took part and turned off their lights for that one hour.

Earth Hour 2010 - join us!

Earth Hour 2010 strikes off on March 27th, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m. from the Boca del Rio Park. Everyone is invited to to take part in the Candelit Parade which will take participants from the Park and unto the Old Football Field. Once there, everyone can enjoy games such as lime and spoon, as well as listen to stories around the campfire or take advantage of the opportunity and learn as much as you can about Global Warming. If at home, don't forget to turn off your light between the hour of 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. in honor of the event. The San Pedro Junior College students invite you!

Police officer Gideon released on bail

Police Officer Derrick Gideon, has been on remand at the Hattieville Prison on charges of kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault. Gideon was released on a $12,000 bail granted by the Belize Supreme Court last Friday, March 19th. Perez's vegetable stand

According to court reports, Justice Michelle Arana granted Gideon’s application for bail on the grounds that he has not been previously convicted. Since there was no objection from Crown Counsel Christelle Wilson from the Director of Public Prosecutions Office, bail was granted.

Gideon's bail came with conditions which include that Gideon has to appear in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court whenever the case comes before the court; and since he is a resident of Sand Hill Village, he is required to report to the local Police Station three days per week and he must not interfere with any of the witnesses in any way.

Gideon remains interdicted from police duties, pending the outcome of the criminal charges against him.

Gideon was charged in San Pedro along with two others for kidnapping, beating and robbing vegetable vendor Juan Perez of $350 during the process of searching for drugs on the morning of Sunday, February 21.

Perez and his assitant who was hurt in the incident

According to his statement, Perez was sleeping on his boat , when three men (Police Constable Derrick Gideon, Juan Cus, a resident of the San Pedro area, and a Belize Defense Force soldier whom he knew) woke him up claiming that a search was to be conducted. Perez said Gideon hit him and forced his son to look for drugs on the boat. When the search revealed no drugs, Perez said Gideon took his money found on the boat and forced him to accompany him. When Perez realized that he was not being taken to the Police Department he escaped and found help. Perez's boat where he was sleeping

The three men were later arrested and charged for the offense.

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Child Stimulation ends with parade

It's been a month filled with activities between arts and craft, visits to the town, dancing and playing. Today, preschools in San Pedro marked the end of Child Stimulation Month with a parade through the island's streets. Children's Stimulation Month was celebrated undet the theme, Investing in Early Childhood = A better Belize!

ABC Pre School Visits San Pedro Sun - The Easter Bunny Drops by Little Angels

This morning, The San Pedro Sun got a chance to host to the ABC Pre School. Kainie explained to the bunch of enthusiastics, the functions of a newspaper, and the people that make it happen.

While learning about the role of a newspaper in the community, ABC students delighted staff with a song dedicated to the five senses. Click play above to listen.

Later in the morning, Little Angels pre-schoolers were visited by the Easter Bunny. Children were excited to receive their Easter Baskets, and took the chance to take pictures with Mr. Bunny.

Shots fired last night

The San Pedro Police Department has confirmed that last night shots were fired in the beach area of Wet Willy's. According to the report, a fight broke out inside the club and once outside a person fired shots. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Police officers are looking for three suspects.

Feathered friends of Ambergris Caye

One of the joys of traveling to a foreign land is discovering the local wildlife. Common birds seen daily here on La Isla Bonita can be a new and exotic experience for a visitor, and although the residents might not think twice when one of these winged wonders grace the sky a tourist may be sent scrambling for his camera! Chances are you won’t have to look far for these Caribbean creatures and a walk on the beach will almost guarantee the sight of Brown Pelicans, Frigate birds, Great Blue Herons, seagulls and sandpipers to name a few. The cooing songs of the White-winged Doves are a constant lullaby while Great Kiskadee sing"Quest-ce-que dit" and Tropical Mockingbirds go through their repertoire of twills and tweets. Together their constant chorus is an age old tropical song that fills the air throughout the day.

Perhaps you have wondered just who these feathered friends are? Let The San Pedro Sun take the opportunity to acquaint you with these resident birds who call San Pedro home.

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Wilmington students receive training in San Pedro Town

Last year’s exchange program was a great success that this year, 17 students from the University of North Carolina arrived in La Isla Bonita in order to finalize their teaching certifications. Arriving from our sister city, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, for the next few weeks, the students will be engaging with elementary and high school students on the island in order to acquire teaching skills needed to finalize their teaching certification.

Well received by both students and teachers, Professor Dennis Kubasko, who is accompanying the group, says that, “this is just the beginning of a great exchange program where both countries will benefit.”

The students are engaging in 15 weeks of training, ten were held in the USA while the other five will take place on Ambergris Caye. Training is taking place at San Pedro High School, Isla Bonita Elementary and Ambergris Caye Elementary School.

Earth Hour To Be Celebrated

Students of the San Pedro Junior College have organized activities for Earth Hour this coming Saturday, March 27th, 2010. A candle light parade will begin at Boca del Rio at 6:30 p.m. and make its way to the Old Football Field for the main activities at 8:30 p.m.
Earth Hour is now a global initiative. At 8:30 p.m. on March 27th, individuals, communities, towns and cities across the world will turn off their lights for one hour sending the powerful global message that working together we can make a difference and that our voices will be heard on climate change.
For more information feel free to visit the Earth Hour website.

Cpl. Sanchez laid to rest

Corporal Gavin Sanchez was laid to rest after an official police funeral service was held in his honor yesterday afternoon in Belize City. The ceremony was held at the Open Door Ministry Church on Muhammad Ali Street in the Port Loyola area. Magistrate Emerson Banner gave the official remembrance while Corporal Sanchez’s close friend Sergeant Nicolas Palomo gave a personal remembrance. Following the service – there was an official procession to the Lord Ridge Cemetery led by the Lodge Hall, followed by the police marching band. Corporal Sanchez’s flag was draped over the coffin and there was an assembly of police officers from all police formations led by Commissioner Crispin Jeffries.
Corporal Sanchez's death continues to stir controversy since as reported Dr. Mario Estradabran's autopsy report concluded that Cpl. Sanchez was shot 9 times – including more than once to the head. The case file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. In the interim, Sgt. Paulino Reyes has been placed on "administrative leave".

Photo courtesy Channel 7 News