| Cop Charged For Extorting Couple On Newton Barracks |
| Mon, November 11, 2024 |
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A couple from Spain and Mexico claims that they were extorted last week Friday by police at a checkpoint on Newtown Barracks. 50 year old mechanic, Manuel Ortiz and his wife 51 year old Maribel Vargas reported to police that when they were stopped at the checkpoint an officer approached their vehicle and asked for them to present documents for the vehicle which they were unable to do so.
The officer allegedly threatened to have them detained until Tuesday unless they put some money on the back seat of the police mobile. Ortiz agreed and placed 210 Euros equivalent to $580 Belize on the seat of the police mobile - which the officer allegedly took.
After the couple filed their report at the Queen Street Police Station, police formally arrested and charged 38 year old Ausberto Pelayo, police officer of Corozal Town for the Crime of extortion. Pelayo appeared in court this evening with his attorney Sharon Pitts and pleaded not guilty to the crime of extortion. He was offered bail in the sum of $6,000 plus two sureties of $3,000 each which he was able to meet. Pelayo is set to appear in court again on December 23rd.
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