Beliz: Cops probe destroyed croc haven

 BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC):

Police are investigating the destruction of two buildings at a sanctuary for crocodiles after the owners were accused of harbouring two children against their will.

The owners of American Crocodile Sanctuary for Education (ACES), Vince and Cherie Rose, said that 17 crocodiles had also been shot and killed by angry villagers at a compound at Punta Gorda, Belize's southernmost town.

According to a statement by the owners, a "frenzied mob of Mayan-Belizean villagers" set fire to the compound destroying the sanctuary.

"We've lost everything," said Cherie Rose, adding that the owners were away from the compound when the incident occurred on Sunday night.

Media reports say the destruction of the ACES is linked to claims by a psychic that two missing children were being kept at the sanctuary against their will.

The owners said that the mob also destroyed a laboratory and nursery for baby crocodiles.

"We are not sure how to handle the situation, but the villagers and the country of Belize need to be held accountable," Cherie Rose said in the statement.

The couple says they have lost six years of work, but plans to rebuild the facility.

"This is going to be a long hard process, but we are going to fight and not run away. There will be other ACES somewhere, some day," the statement added.