Lord’s Bank man detained all weekend for loitering in front of shop but Judge dropped the case after learning he was just waiting for his boss

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Lords Bank construction worker who spent the weekend detained on a loitering charge was set free on Monday after a Magistrate dismissed the case despite his guilty plea.

Thirty-seven-year-old Johnathan Henry Reyes, a resident of the Hollywood area of Lords Bank Village, appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court charged with loitering.

Police alleged that on Saturday, August 22, Reyes was found at the entrance of Ming’s Happy Store in Lords Bank and failed to leave after being instructed to do so.

According to police, officers conducting mobile patrol at around 2:21 p.m. noticed Reyes sitting near the entrance of the store. An officer questioned him about why he was there and police claim Reyes said he had no particular reason.

He was reportedly told to leave and indicated that he would comply. Officers continued their patrol but returned approximately 20 minutes later and allegedly found Reyes still standing near the entrance of the establishment.

Police say he was again questioned and, after allegedly failing to provide a reason for remaining there, he was detained and later charged with loitering.

At his arraignment on Monday, Reyes pleaded guilty but explained to the court that he had actually been waiting for his employer. He said he had told police this and acknowledged that he could have instead waited across the road at the bus stop.

After hearing his explanation, the Magistrate dismissed the charge under Section 59 and informed Reyes that he was free to go.

The Magistrate, however, advised Reyes that when police instruct him to leave an area in circumstances such as these, he should comply to avoid being charged with loitering.

Reyes had spent two nights detained at the Ladyville Police Station before his court appearance.

The post Lord’s Bank man detained all weekend for loitering in front of shop but Judge dropped the case after learning he was just waiting for his boss appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.