Constables Robbery Caught On Tape:DPP Upgrades Charges

They were caught on tape shaking down and robbing a Chinese grocer, and exposed to the nation on 7 News, and now the roguish single policeman and three auxiliary police officers are back in the news. After reviewing the case file against Constable Vladimir Ortega, and Special Constables Jesus Domingues, Filomino Badillo and Cornelio Andueza, the DPP has recommended that they be dealt with even more sternly than was originally recommended. After the 7 News broadcast on March 13th, they were taken to court on the 15th and criminally charged for theft, conspiracy to commit theft,common assault of Dennis Chow, and common assault of Goldburn Adolphus. But today, the DPP brought the Corozalenos back to the Belize City court to hear new charges. He has substituted the stiffer charge of robbery, and charged them with the aggravated assault of Goldburn Adolphus. The lesser charges that they originally faced have now been dropped while they remain free on bail. It's a significant upgrade in severity as both new offences carry heavier penalties than those previously laid. It's also exceptional in the regard that similar offences not captured on tape and not broadcast widely were handled through a police tribunal and the culprits were never made to face criminal charges. That happened in the case of Constable Alfaro "Boledo" Bol, found guilty of stealing from a Boledo vendor by a police tribunal, then cleared on a technicality at the Belize Advisory Council, and now on active duty in Punta Gorda.