Policeman Arraigned for Theft from Chinese Grocery Store  

A police officer from Mahogany Heights is out on bail after being charged with theft, caught on camera stealing from a Chinese businesswoman he was supposed to be protecting. The officer, fifty-two-year-old Peter Graham, was brought to court this morning. Wearing a shirt that read ‘Dear Santa, define good,’ Graham appeared before Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola around noon, accompanied by his attorney, Norman Rodriguez. He was charged with stealing five hundred and fifty dollars from Jiabi Wang, the proprietor of a shop on Mahogany Street, Belize City, on January sixth, 2025. Graham pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor requested bail with conditions, including that Graham sign in at a police station weekly since he is now on interdiction. Chief Magistrate Wegodapola granted bail at one thousand, five hundred dollars with conditions: Graham must sign in every Monday at the Mahogany Heights Police Station, avoid contact with the complainant and witnesses, attend all court dates, and not get arrested for any other offenses while on bail. Graham posted bail and is due back in court on March thirteenth, 2025. Here’s Commissioner of Police Chester Williams’ reaction to the incident.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Sometimes I really and truly wonder what goes through the minds of some police, honestly.  His action, or conduct, is disgusting.  I won’t say much because I have already directed that that matter be dealt with.  I know we have received a report from the proprietor of the establishment, and I had given instructions over the weekend for him to be arrested and charged and I was told that he eventually took back the money, with the hope that the matter would not be pursued.  But believe you me, what I saw on that video footage is certainly something that is unforgiveable.  We are police officers; we are charged with the trust and confidence of the people.  His conduct in that video goes against the grain of what being a police officer is, and so, he was suspended immediately, and I have already directed the legal office to write him because, again, as much as the public might be outraged and I agree with them that we all should be outraged, the law requires that we must follow a process.”