Faber Arrested, Says It Is Politically Motivated

This morning, former Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber stood alongside Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton at a UDP press conference in Belize City. Just as he finished his presentation, a team of officers swooped in and arrested him. Faber is accused of assaulting a police officer and obstructing the officer from performing his duties in the early hours this morning. The incident began when Faber allegedly sped through a checkpoint at the foot of BelChina Bridge, prompting a police pursuit. Upon stopping him, officers discovered his vehicle was unlicensed. When asked for his driver’s license, Faber claimed it was at home. The officers followed him to his Belize City residence where he produced the license. While issuing a violation ticket for operating an unlicensed vehicle and having a defective light, Faber began recording the officer and placing his phone close to the officer’s face. The officer reported feeling threatened and uncomfortable. Despite repeated warnings that he was obstructing police duties, Faber’s behavior persisted. After being detained at the Biltmore, Faber was escorted to Queen Street Police Station for questioning, and later to Belize City Magistrates Court for arraignment. This afternoon, he pleaded not guilty to both charges. Speaking outside the court, he claimed the charges are politically motivated.

 

Patrick Faber, U.D.P. Senator Designate

“I just think it is politically motivated, much of it. I did not do anything that would constitute any kind of aggravated assault. Nor did I try to stop the police or obstruct the police from doing his job. The police who gave me, they gave me two tickets by the way, one for my tail lights, that is the real reason why they claim they stopped me and they don’t show you all the video. I have not seen what they showed you, but from what people are telling me, they diced and spliced what they want, which is a matter itself. If the police recorded me, how can the video, because I did not share my version of the video as yet, but how can the police video be floating all around. What is their motivate? Clearly it is try to bring embarrassment and shame. I am saying for the record that I am not guilty of those charges and we will wait for the court, for us to have our day and for that to be determined?”

 

Reporter

“Do you believe this is casting a black eye on a party that is rebuilding, especially since today was your first press conference?”

 

Patrick Faber

“I think that is the intent. But we have long resisted this kind of thing. This week makes twenty years since I was last charged with aggravated assault against a police officer. Your member. So this is no the first time I have endured such a charge or targeted because of politics in this manner. I am not saying the police did not have a right to stop me and all of that. But I complied with all they asked me to do. I was just trying to make sure I had a version of what happened, for the very same reason. I know very well how they are able to use these things in a politically slanted way.”

 

Reporter

“Had you been driving under the influence?”

 

Patrick Faber

“Absolutely not, if the police felt that way, they stopped me in front of Blue Marlin where I came out and they asked me for my license, I told them I did not have my license on me and they insisted that the regulations that says, or what I thought to be the case, that you have twenty-four hours to produce your license, the officer said absolutely not. I told them that I was not too far away from where I need to be to get the license and he followed me there. If he allowed me to do that, as you heard my attorney say. In fact, those who know my I have completely stopped drinking and I only took a drink for my birthday and that was it.”