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Last night we told you about the rogue policeman and BDF soldier on San Pedro who were charged along with a civilian for kidnapping, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and harm. They are accused of a case of gross and criminal abuse of power. 45 year old fruit vendor Juan Perez reported that 23 year old Police Constable Derrick Gideon, 21 year old BDF Soldier Justin Casimiro and 29 year old civilian, John Cus went on the boat where he was sleeping, roughed him up and stole from him. The plain-clothed lawmen and the civilian also detained and were about to kidnap him when he escaped. Yesterday Perez told his story to the San Pedro Sun.

Juan Perez, Robbery Victim
“They told me they were policemen and they came to search my boat because I have drugs in the boat. I told them I do not use drugs and I don’t sell any drugs. They told me that they have information that I am selling drugs and that I should tell them where the drugs are.

Gideon told me that I have drugs and he will search me first, when he searched me, he found $650 and told me that it was illegal money and that he will take it. I told him OK but that's the money from which I sell vegetables.

I stayed with the other two men on the dock, they told me if I did something, they would shoot me.

Gideon after searching the boat he said to me why did you lie to me?, he then hit me on the left side of my face. He wanted to hit me again but I told him to continue to search the boat. So he took out me assistant by pushing him and shouting at him and hit him twice on his head. 

Gideon told me to stay on the dock while one of the men went inside the boat with the minor and then he put a gun to his head asking him where is the drugs?

I told my assistant stay in the boat, they will take me to the police station. I thought they were going to take me to the station. They were taking me to the San Pedrito area. When we reached in front of the field I managed to escape from them.”

Perez told the Sun that he believes they were taking him to the San Pedrito area to kill him. When he escaped – he ran to some soldiers – who were incredulous at first, saying that the man he is accusing is a soldier. Right then, he claims Gideon gave him back the knife that he had stolen from him on the boat. A police report issued today alleges that while Gideon searched the boat he knocked the minor unconscious when he hit him. As we reported last night all three men have been placed on remand at the Hattieville prison.

Gideon has been interdicted from active duty on half pay, pending the outcome of the charges against him. The soldier was off duty and Commander Dario Tapia says he will recommend to the Security Services Commission that he be suspended.

In a related development, the police officer who was on patrol with the BDF two weeks ago in Belize City when they lost the M-16 has rifle been charged for the disciplinary offences of Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline, and Dereliction of Duty.

He appeared before a tribunal where he pleaded not guilty. The two soldiers who were with him were found guilty by a military tribunal and were awarded 40 days imprisonment at Kolbe – with a forfeiture of pay for that period. The soldier who was directly responsible for the missing weapon was placed on stoppage of pay and both were recommended for discharge to be approved by the Security Services Commission.