Our next story is about a mixture of irony and cruelty so odd, if it weren't in the news, you might think it's a joke.
It's about a man from Belmopan who was partying in Belize City on Friday night. He had a lot of cash on him - and didn't want to get robbed - so he went to the only place he thought he'd be safe: the police station - to wait for daybreak when he would go back home. Only thing is, he did end up getting robbed - except it wasn't by some regular old jacker - it was a by a police special constable!
33 year-old Ronel Rivero, had over $1,000 dollars in cash on him. He alleges that at around 4:30 on Saturday, he went into the station to try to secure his personal cash until his bus to Belmopan was ready to leave. He said that the police sergeant on duty asked him out of precaution to show him the money just to make sure that he didn't have any illegal items while he was there.
The sergeant left him in the office to wait for about an hour, and while he was waiting, Special Constable John Myvette came into the office and allegedly treated him like a person on detention.
Now, Rivero was in the police station of his own free will, but apparently Myvette did not accept that.
Rivero says that Myvette forced him to empty his pocket which was just $10 short of a thousand dollars. Myvette allegedly took the money and when it was time for him to return it, he tried to short Rivero of $800 dollars.
Rivero reported it to the police right there - after all, he was in the station - but apparently, he had some difficulty in getting their cooperation. Eventually Myvette was charged for theft, and he was arraigned in Magistrate's Court today.
It is a serious allegation of corruption and abuse of authority, so we'll have Rivero, who we talked to us today, explain it to you in his own words:
Ronel Rivero - Claims Police Stole From Him
"Saturday, at around 4 o'clock, I went to the police station. When I arrived there, it was like 5 minutes after 4. The sergeant asked me where I lived, and I told him that I lived in Belmopan. I told him that my bus leaves at 5 o'clock. So, he asked me what I had in my pocket, and I told that I had my money, passport, and a job letter. He asked me to show him the items, and I took them out and put it on the desk. He told me that I had a lot of money, and that I should put it back in my pocket. He told me to sit beside the office for an hour, and I did that. Roughly and hour or so, Mr. Myvette came; he kicked me and told me to get up. He told that he wanted to search me, but I told him that I had already been searched by the sergeant. He insisted, so I stood up. He pushed his hand in my pocket and took out my passport, my job letter and my money."
Daniel Ortiz
"How much money was this?"
Ronel Rivero
"It was $990 in that side. I had the rest in the top pocket, but he didn't know. After that, he told me to walk to front, but I told him that I will walk to side because I wanted to see what he's doing with my money. He insisted, but I told him that I refuse, and that I'll walk beside him. We got to another office - it's only like 5 feet away - he pushed me and when I went forward, I saw when he took the money and handed it to another police. So, I told the Sergeant that that this man had my money. He put some of the money on the table and told me that the $190 on the table was mine. So, I spread the money, and I told him that that wasn't all of my money, and I wasn't going to leave until I got back all my money. I then told the Sergeant again that this man had my money."
Daniel Ortiz
"How much money did he have for you?"
Ronel Rivero
"$800 in 50 dollar notes. So, I told him that I would search him, and he said that if I searched him, he would charge me."
Daniel Ortiz
"Assaulting a police officer."
Ronel Rivero
"Yes, he said that he would charge me for that. I asked him if I looked crazy, and if I look like I would go in there and beat up any police. I told him that I wanted my money. The second police went out and gave the money to another police man."
Daniel Ortiz
"How do you know this?"
Ronel Rivero
"I know because I saw it, and when the money was transferring, I told the sergeant that my money went to the next police, and that police came back, he then said that I could search him. How will I search somebody who doesn't have any money on them? He then told me that I can go on Channel 5, or I could go to Raccoon Street Police Station to make a report if I want. I told him that I wasn't going to leave this station; we spent about 2 hours there. A little issue happened there; I then made my report to the CIB, and I went to the other office to do my report."
Daniel Ortiz
"So you made a report at the Internal Affairs Office."
Ronel Rivero
"I did that also, yes. All I wanted back was my money that morning, but he refused to give it back."
Daniel Ortiz
"I understand that you're being threatened because you have made this report against him, and it has gone through the process. Can you explain to us what those threats are?"
Ronel Rivero
"Well, they said that if I go to the media, they can plant 2 bullets on me, easy as that, and I'd go to prison. So, they went to my mother's house, and told her that they know me. They asked her to stop me from going to any media, or else she might probably find me - maybe 2 bullets were found on him - just a little small threat. I told the police officers at the station that it didn't matter what they did to me. If they wanted to kill me, they could that. The only difference there is between us is that he had a police uniform, and I didn't. If he took it off, he would be just like me. I respect them, but I don't think that they should rob me."
In court, Special Constable Myvette, who was on duty during this alleged theft, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer granted him bail of $1,000 which he was able to meet. He is to return to court on June 4.
It is important to note that on February 2011, Myvette was acquitted of an extortion offense, which he also allegedly committed while on duty. It was dismissed due to the prosecution's slow pace in moving the case forward by failing to provide timely disclosure to Myvette and his attorney.
Email
Print