It made big news in May when Efrain Alpuche, the security guard of PUP Politician Ramon Monchie Cervantez, was jointly charged with Orange Walk resident, Saulito Vasquez for allegedly setting fire to BSI's cane fields on the San Lorenzo Road. Well tonight, the news is that the arson charges against both men have been withdrawn.
We've been trying to find out why such a drastic change, because 3 months ago, the police were sure that they had enough to successfully prosecute the case. Well, both Alpuche and Vasquez showed up to court for their adjournment, the police prosecutor informed the sitting magistrate that the prosecutors from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a directive to them that these charges must be withdrawn against both men due to a lack of evidence.
So, they're free, and Efrain Alpuche told us this evening that he is of course happy that this criminal charge is no longer hanging over his head. He said that absolutely no explanation was offered for his sudden acquittal, but he was sure that this would be the eventual outcome.
As viewers may remember, at around 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18th, 700 tonnes of unharvested sugar cane, which belonged to BSI was set ablaze, which caused them to lose $50,000 in investment. As viewers know, burning of ones cane fields is a standard act of retaliation in the North.
The police were sure that they could make a case against both men because they found a rear view mirror housing at the scene. It fits Ramon Cervantes' vehicle, and also offered a serial number match. That along with reports from police that they had seen both men in Cervantes' vehicle some time before the fire, led them to believe that they were the culprits.
Alpuche told us that he is considering all avenues of recourse against the police.
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