You've probably heard stories of drivers being stopped at a checkpoint, maybe for not having a valid license or insurance, but the officer would allow them to continue on without a ticket for a couple hundred bucks.
Well, that's extortion, and it's a crime. And one woman, 34-year-old Diaris Tepas, reported it to the police, which led to the arrest of transport officer, 45-year-old Andrea Peters.
Today, ACP Hilberto Romero told us more.
ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
"On Wednesday, the 7th day of June, 2023 around eleven a.m., police received a report from a complainant, one Diaris Tepaz, thirty-four years who reported that she was driving her Chevy Equinox vehicle on the highway, near Independence, when she came across a Transport Department checkpoint. She reported that when her vehicle was checked, it was found out that the vehicle was not insured and she was told that she was going to be charged. However, one of the transport officers then informed her that if she paid five hundred dollars that she would be released and not charged. Arrangements were made and a part of the payment was made. Police responded, they apprehended the three transport officers and after an investigation was conducted, one Andrea Peters, Belizean transport officer of Pomona Village was charged for the crime of extortion. One person was charged."
Reporter
"Sir, this was a sting operation that the police did?"
ACP Hilberto Romero
"Well the sting was when the payment was made. But that is a usual checkpoint that was set up on the highway."
Reporter
"So she alerted the police to the bribe or extortion before she paid and then...?"
ACP Hilberto Romero
"Yes that is correct. She made a report prior to the payment."
