Yesterday, 7News told you about the robbery in progress on Cemetery Road, which ended in a police showdown inside a home at the corner of Plues and Prince Street.
Today, the men who police say did the robbery, were all arraigned in Magistrate's Court today.
But, you heard the upset resident vent his frustration about how the police did their job, alleging brutality.
It all started yesterday at around 2:20 p.m. when Paula Chen was at her business place, Paula Store. While she was attending to a customer, three men, all of whom were armed with firearms, entered her store.
One of the assailants then walked towards her and pointed the gun at her face while demanding money. He then went behind the counter and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, while the other assailants robbed her customers of their personal belongings.
Quick police response led the officers to a house at #32 Plues Street, Belize City which led to the discovery of a cell phone, $494.65Bcy in cash, an unlicensed .38 Special revolver containing 4 rounds of .38 Special ammunition, and a .357 pistol containing 6 rounds of .38 Special rounds of ammunition.
Present at the time were 23 year-old Aaron Bailey, 27 year-old Jarreth Gault, 21 year-old Inmar Welch, and 22 year-old Jeffrey McDougal, 24 year-old Teresita Vivas, and her mother, 47 year-old Carol Vivas.
They were all charged and arraigned before Magistrate Aretha Ford today.
The 4 men were charged jointly with robbery, and they were also jointly charged along with Teresita Vivas, and her 47 year-old mother, Carol Vivas with keeping a prohibited firearm, keeping an unlicensed firearm, keeping unlicensed ammunition, and handling stolen goods for the items which were recovered.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges, but due to the nature of the offences, Magistrate Ford could not offer them bail.
They were remanded to prison until October 2, 2012, their next court date.
In response to the claims of brutality, Police Press officer Yearwood told the press that there were no signs of violence when the men were detained, and they were examined specifically because the residents of Plues Street were shouting about brutality.
In response to the allegations of tasering, Yearwood said that none of the officers from the operation yesterday carried tasers because they are not authorized to use it.
He ended by saying that the officers had to use force because they must protect themselves and in this case these men were armed with firearms. In the wake of the death of Corporal Victor Lima, officers will use force they need to neutralize threats against them by criminals armed with weapons.
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