Grand Belizean Estate donates to ACES

The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) located in the Toledo District received a well needed donation from Grand Belizean Estate Limited. The donation was in the sum of Belize $5,000 and will be used in the construction of a secure, natural habitat for crocodiles relocated to ACES’ facilities.
In a press release, ACES stated when relocating problematic crocodiles, their facility required a secure, natural habitat. The reptiles removed by the Forestry Department originate from various areas in the country and are taken to the ACES facilities. Crocodiles which have been removed from Ambergris Caye’s ecosystem have also found a home at ACES sanctuary.
ACES facility in the Toledo District

Grand Belizean Estate Managing Consultant Francisco Alvarado told The Sun that upon learning about ACES’s needs, Grand Belizean Estate did not hesitate to generously donate to the initiative. “We were impressed with the work ACES is doing to save these incredible animals. We became very much interested in contributing to the cause therefore we decided to make such a donation,” stated Alvarado. He added that they will continue to support ACES in their efforts to promote the protection of the American Crocodiles in Belize. He stated that Grand Belizean Estate has also committed their support to ACES’s desires in establishing a facility on the island, similar to that in the Toledo District.
With Grand Belizean Estate’s efforts to assist, ACES hopes to come up with a much need population assessment of the number of crocodiles and potential nesting sites in the area. Grand Belizean Estate stated that their donation is just one way they are giving back to the community. For the time being ACES said that the donation will help them significantly in the purchasing of some of the materials needed for the commencement of a 10,000 square feet containment area for the crocs. ACES is still short of $16,000 and are welcoming any donation. You can contact ACES by calling (501) 665-2762.

Caye Caulker Police Officer Charged for Assaulting a Young Girl

Caye Caulker Police charged one of their own after a young girl on the island reported to authorities that she was sexually assaulted. The officer is 20-year-old Tourism Police Constable Darren Casimiro of Caye Caulker Village. The incident allegedly occurred on La Isla Carinosa on Tuesday, February 2nd and the constable was arraigned the following day in San Pedro’s Magistrate Court.

According to Police the 14-year-old Canadian tourist told her mother that sometime around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2nd, she was walking along Front Street in Caye Caulker Village. Upon reaching an area near Sobre Las Olas Restaurant, she was approached by Constable Casimiro who was on a bicycle. The girl told her mother that Casimiro took her to an area behind the restaurant where the officer proceeded to touch her all over her body inappropriately.

The girl, accompanied by her mother, gave a statement to police where she accused Casimiro of assaulting her. Based on the information and evidence gathered, authorities proceeded to charge Casimiro. Casimiro was charged for the crime of indecent assault on a minor and was taken before San Pedro’s Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Judge Emerson Banner offered Casimiro bail in the sum of $2,500 and a surety of the same amount. Casimiro was placed on interdiction effective today and will be subjected to a Police internal investigation.

Street closed off to avoid accident over gas leakage

A section of Sea Grape Drive was closed off this afternoon by both the Police and Fire Departments. The San Pedro Sun was able to confirm that a pipe on one of the trucks belonging to a local butane company, E & L, broke and began leaking gas. To avoid any major accident, the area was cordoned off until the truck was taking to the southern end of the Island. No major incident was reported.

America’s Most Wanted films in San Pedro

Traffic came to halt on Barrier Reef this morning and it was not because of a check point. Indeed, it was the host of America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh and crew, filming in San Pedro. San Pedro will be featured as part of the Belize episode of AMW.

There have been a number of American fugitives who have sought refuge in Belize. While on the island, Walsh interviewed an expert who explained why Belize is a possible haven for such wanted criminals. Read more in this week’s issue of The San Pedro Sun.

San Pedro rocks out during the weekend

Music lovers had an amazing weekend with some great music - Kelly McGuire and Jerry Jeff Walker dazzled their audiences as the sang in front of the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

What an absolutely great way to pass the lazy afternoon. Fans sang along to the tune of some of their favorite songs and waited patiently at the end of the sessions for autographs. Kelly had two days of rocking music, the Saturday night at Ramon's Village while on Sunday the venue was the Sand Bar.
Jerry Jeff Walker on the other hand, joined Dennis Wolfe and the Usual Suspects and strummed his guitar to the island tunes.

Music, friends, food and drinks - island life in San Pedro at its best.