Minor’s Statement Did Not Implicate Ryan Mendez

On Thursday night, we reported on the transfer of Corporal Anastacio Uh from San Pedro Town to Belize City on August first, following his involvement in an incident involving alleged police abuse. Corporal Uh took the statement of a fifteen-year-old minor on July seventh after Sergeant Devin Makin was filmed pistol-whipping twenty-two-year-old Ryan Mendez. Makin claimed he acted under the belief that Mendez was armed after allegedly chasing the minor with a firearm. However, the minor’s statement, which News Five has obtained, did not support Makin’s account. The boy stated he saw someone running toward him but couldn’t identify the person or confirm if they were armed. This contradicts Makin’s assertion that the minor reported being chased by an armed individual. The minor explained that he ran to safety at a nearby bar before Sergeant Makin arrived and questioned him. Without solid evidence or identification, police were unable to charge Mendez. We will continue to monitor this developing story.