Today Stann Creek resident Jeffry Young came to our studio, both frustrated and angry. He told us that he had been to all of the major Belize City police Stations to complain that 2 cops robbed him of $700 last night, but his report was falling on deaf ears.
He claims that his hard earned cash, which he intended to use to help his sick mother, was taken from him by two on-duty police officers who searched him. He admits to being under the influence of alcohol, which is probably what drew the attention of the police. But, the search that happened afterwards, according to him, turned into a robbery by the men sworn to uphold the law. Here's how he described it:
Jeffry Young, Claims Police Misbehavior
"I live by George Town areas and I left there because I came to assist my mother here in Belize City. She has the disease where the white and red cells feed on each other. So when I came back home now, I checked a net out at Foreshore, fixed a bicycle where I made $700. The police took my money from me in front of Bliss last night at 10:30. I went to Queen Street Police station, Precinct 1 and Raccoon Police Station but nobody wants to help me. The police turned me around and around and I got frustrated so I came to you so you can try to help me, because those police are on some real rampage. My woman, Ivana Witt, and I left from by Seaside Guest house where I told her I was going to rent a room. I had $100 in this hand here and the Police men took out my $100, took a shotgun out and hand-cuffed me. See the mark are on my hands still from the hand-cuffs. Then one of them pushed his knee inside my back and took out the $600 I had in my back pocket which they took."
Daniel Ortiz
"Did they tell you why they detained you? Were they searching for any drugs, gun, nothing like that?"
Jeffry Young, Claims Police Misbehavior
"No none at all, they just put hand-cuffs on me. My girl and I were talking and she was talking really loud because she's drunk, I'm sort of high, but I don't forget. I know the police man face, so I went to precinct 1 this morning due to a Sergeant who told me to go there in between 5:30 and 6 so I went there and pointed out one officer. He hung his head down and was shamed but I still can't get back my money."
Young tells us that he intends to continue pushing the police to take his report and investigate his complaint.
Email
Print