7 News Belize

Was Policeman Punked In Road Rage Affair?
posted (March 25, 2019)
We also asked Williams about a less controversial but publicly embarrassing case for police.

On Saturday morning at around 2:20am, Corporal Mark Martinez got into a scuffle on the Princess Margaret Drive strip in Belize City - and left with a busted head, and without his service revolver.

Apparently, Martinez was driving on the strip along with his wife when he got into it with a driver who stopped in the middle of the road. Williams discussed it today:

Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police
"There are several things that I would have to look at in terms of whether or not the persons with whom he had the issue new that he was a police at that particular time. What led to the situation, based on what you said just now, he was in a road rage. I think I was told that he was driving and some vehicle stopped in front of him and he blew his horn and the persons on the vehicle came out and they were charging at him. He took out his gun and fired two warning shots. Is it reasonable for him to have done so? I could say yes and I could say no. It depends on how he feels at a particular time. Does he feel like his life was in danger? Knowing that he had a gun on him; if you are attacked and you have a gun on you, more than likely you're attackers would disarm you. That surely would put your life in danger. So, it could be that he took out the firearm out of a view to ward them off but instead of warding off they continued to charge at him. He was eventually knocked out and his firearm was taken. Thankfully it was not used on him. I know that the persons concerned have been arrested and charged and I think that they will be going to court today. But we have a policy that deals with officers who take firearms home after working hours. Firearms that belong to the department. So, we will have to review that policy to see whether or not there was a beach of that policy where the officer is concerned. And if there was a breach, then he will be dealt with internally. But that still does not take away the fact that he was assaulted and his firearm was stolen. So, the persons were charged with theft of the firearm and for causing whatever injuries to the officer."

Police have recovered the revolver. They say someone handed it into the department. Today in court, 27 year old Ashley Haylock, who the police believe was one of two persons who stole the Corporal's gun was charged with theft when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. Haylock was also charged with common assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was denied bail and remanded until May 13.

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