Sticky finger Orange Walk teen on spree avoids jail for theft and escape

Published by [email protected] at March 19, 2025

Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 9:59 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 19-year-old construction worker from San Lazaro Village, Orange Walk, was allowed to go home instead of to Belize Central Prison after pleading guilty to three counts of theft and one count of escape from lawful custody.

Shawn Rivas appeared before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2 on Wednesday afternoon, where he admitted to stealing two bicycles and a gas tank, as well as attempting to escape police custody.

The charges against him stem from incidents in Orange Walk Town. On March 14, he stole a black female bicycle valued at $425 and a 50-pound gas tank worth $150. On March 17, he stole a blue female-frame beach cruiser bicycle at Pew Pew Business. That same day, while in police custody on Cemetery Lane, he escaped from lawful custody.

In court, Rivas, who was unrepresented, said he was scared and panicked, which led to his escape. He expressed remorse, pleading for a fine instead of jail time.

The Senior Magistrate warned Rivas about the seriousness of theft and noted that, while the stolen amounts were small, accumulating multiple convictions could lead to prison time in the future.

Rivas received four separate fines, with strict payment deadlines: $500 + $5 court cost for stealing the bicycle (due June 30, 2025, or 5 months in jail); $400 + $5 court cost for escape (due June 30, 2025, or 4 months in jail); $600 + $5 court cost for stealing another bicycle (due July 31, 2025, or 6 months in jail); and $600 + $5 court cost for stealing the gas tank (due August 29, 2025, or 6 months in jail).

Rivas was warned that if he is convicted of theft again, prison time will be unavoidable.

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