Wakenaam student accuses police of theft

A 15-year-old schoolboy, who was arrested while attending the inter-schools’ sports at Wakenaam Community Ground, is claiming that, at about 15:30 hours on Friday, the police removed his personal belongings, and returned them to him later, minus an eight pennyweight gold chain valued at over $40,000.

Minus an eight pennyweight gold chain valued at over $40,000.


Navindra Pooran, a Form Four student of the Essequibo Islands Secondary School, reported that, while attending the sports, he was seated next to a member of the Neighbourhood Police who he alleged was under the influence of alcohol.

Police-involved-crimes  Policeman-severe-beating


The rank accused the student of cursing him about his mother, and proceeded to effect an arrest. He reportedly ordered the schoolboy to walk to the Sans Souci Police Station, where the student was asked to remove his personal belongings. These included a gold chain, a silver chain, a watch, cellphone, $500 in cash, and his clothing, excepting his underwear.  He was later placed in a cell.


Some two hours later, the boy’s grandfather, who was in the village on some other business, was told that his grandson had been arrested.  He went to the police station to find out the reason for the arrest, and was told of the allegation made against his grandson.
He apologised to the Neighbourhood Police rank on behalf of his grandson, since they were from the same village.  The police then returned the boy’s belongings to him while he was still in the cell, but the gold chain was missing.
The boy complained about the missing gold chain to the police. One rank allegedly admitted to the grandfather that the gold chain was indeed with the other articles when it was taken off the boy and placed09 on a desk.  The student has since been released.
When this newspaper contacted the Divisional Commander, he said that he was now hearing of the matter and would immediately mount an investigation.


Sunday, October 12, 2008