7 News Belize

Thieving Policeman Dodges Jail
posted (May 13, 2014)
27 year old Police Constable Brandon Hertular, who was convicted of theft yesterday, caught a lucky break in court today when he got a fine instead of a custodial sentence.

Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith heard mitigation pleas today from 3 character witnesses: Hertular's mother, his common-law wife, and his brother-in-law. She also heard pleas for mitigation from Hertular and his attorney, Anthony Sylvestre.

Hertular, a father of 2, said he is the sole bread winner for his family and he has been a police officer for 5 years. Hertular expressed remorse for what he did.

Chief Magistrate Smith sentenced him to pay fines to a total of $2,400. He was given until June 6 to pay, and if he defaults on payment he will serve 1 year.

As we reported, on March 4, 2012, Hertular and another police officer went to the home of Shirley Chicas and after a search they took a glock 9 pistol, 2 cellular phones and $1,500 cash. They told Chicas that they were going to take the items to the exhibit room and hold them there pending the outcome of their investigation into some robberies. Hertular never did deposited the items and kept them for himself - making it the equivalent of a home invasion in uniform.

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