Venezuela: Four police officers detained for looting in earthquake-affected zone
Four Venezuelan police officers were arrested for looting in the zone devastated by a double earthquake that left at least 2,000 dead, after viral videos showed them being pursued by furious residents.
Venezuela: Four police officers detained for looting in earthquake-affected zone
Four Venezuelan police officers were detained on charges of looting in the region devastated by a powerful double earthquake. The Ministry of Justice announced the detentions after videos showing officers being pursued by enraged neighbours went viral on social media.
The incidents occurred in Resistencia Bajiarta, in La Guaira, the city that suffered the most destruction from the tremor. The earthquake left at least 2,000 people dead and thousands more missing, according to official figures.
In one of the widely circulated clips, a police officer is seen holding a small box, visibly deformed and broken, filled with cash that he allegedly collected from the rubble. Residents surround him demanding that he release the money. In another recording, a woman appears tearing what seems to be a banknote that she took from the police officers.
The Ministry of Justice issued a statement confirming that the four officers were removed from their positions and brought before the courts. The text described the conduct as a betrayal of public trust, noting that the officers took advantage of rescue and humanitarian aid operations to seize personal property from among the rubble.
Widespread looting and robberies have been reported in the days following the earthquake. Law enforcement units were deployed in an attempt to curb criminal activity; however, incidents continue according to resident testimonies reported by international news agencies.
On Wednesday, the ministry also released a video showing one of the implicated officers handing over his weapon and removing his uniform, along with photographs of the four police officers involved.
Source: in.gr
Source: In.gr