A police officer who allegedly demanded $400,000 from another man was on Monday placed on self-bail after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The court heard that on January 10 at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost the accused ranks Orwin Dow and Carlton Johnson demanded the money from Kester Alicock with the intent to steal from the virtual complainant.
Dow a 37-year-old police officer and father of two who resides at the police compound at Providence was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The other accused was absent from the proceedings.
Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron made a successful application for his client to be sent on his own recognizance on the grounds that the man is a serving member of the police force and is currently giving evidence in other matters.
According to the police facts, the two accused are stationed at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, a unit attached to the CID Headquarters.
On the day of the incident, the VC alleged that he loaned $300,000 to “Blackie”, a man whom he met through his uncle and in return “Blackie” left his vehicle with him.
On January 9, the VC had parked the vehicle in front of his uncle’s premises when he was approached by the two accused who informed him that the car was suspected to have been stolen. As a result the VC was arrested and taken to the police station in his car. During his time at the station, the ranks demanded the money from the VC for the release of the car, this newspaper was told.
Stabroek News was told that as a result of the demands by the two accused, a sting operation was planned and the VC was given a recorder so that he could have recorded the conversation with the two police officers.
According to reports, a parcel of newspapers was wrapped to simulate money and was placed in a yellow envelope. Based on the arrangements made among the trio, the VC went into the police station and the envelope that was supposed to contain the money was given to Johnson. The officers were subsequently arrested and were told of the sting operation and they denied the allegations made by the VC but admitted lodging the man’s vehicle.
The matter was transferred to Court Two for reports and fixtures.
