Police rank accused of stealing money from man he was about to arrest

A rank attached to Police “B” Division is now under investigation after he allegedly stole monies from a house at which he went to make an arrest.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred on February 25, 2017 at a Lot 39 Stanleytown home. The home is reportedly the dwelling area of Tyrone Griffith, who was at the time, being arrested.

INews understands that after Griffith- who was in the process of being arrested- accused the specific officer, the other ranks who had accompanied him [accused officer] reportedly left without completing the arrest.

However, Griffith followed them and demanded that the officer return his money.

The complainant told INews that he later visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was directed to the Police Complaints Department after which he met with the Deputy Commander, Errol Watts and laid his complaint.

Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam has confirmed that the police are investigating the matter. According to him, when the matter was first reported to him, the officer at the center of the investigation was on leave.

Amsterdam explained that upon approaching the officer, who is said to be attached to the CID department, he [said officer] had assured him [Amsterdam] that he would repay the stolen monies.

However, the accused’s position on the matter quickly changed and he began to deny ever stealing the money from Griffith’s home.

Amsterdam asserted that he ordered an investigation into the matter; and a file containing statements has since been sent to police headquarters.

Since the incident, Griffith told police that the specific officer had indicated to him that he [officer] wanted money for the Berbice Mash celebrations. The complainant disclosed that the stolen money belongs to his 76-year-old mother.