Belize City Man Walks Free After Robbery Victim Forgives Him

A 24-year-old Belize City man has walked free after a charge of handling stolen goods was withdrawn in court, following the decision of a robbery victim to forgive the accused and focus on recovering his property.  Jermaine Bernardez, a fisherman of Jasmine Street, appeared today before Mannon Dennison in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with dishonestly assisting in the retention of a gold and diamond-encrusted Cuban Link bracelet valued at $5,000. Bernardez pleaded not guilty.  The bracelet was reported stolen during an armed robbery committed against businessman, 35-year-old, Kadeem Jamal Myers, on Thursday, December 18. Myers told police he was accosted around 4:00 p.m. on Pickstock Street near New Road, when two men exited a white Ford Explorer and one pointed a firearm at him, demanding his belongings.  According to police, Myers handed over several personal items, including an iPhone 14 valued at $2,000, a 14-karat gold Cuban Link medal valued at $10,000, a 14-karat bracelet valued at $6,000, vehicle keys valued at $500, and $900 in cash, items totaling approximately $18,500.  Police investigations later led to the detention of Bernardez, who was found in possession of the $5,000 bracelet. However, when the matter was called up in court, Myers took the stand and asked that the charge be withdrawn. He told the court that his main concern was retrieving his stolen items, which he had since recovered.  Myers further stated that he was not pressured or threatened into withdrawing the complaint and said the decision was made of his own free will. He also revealed that he later discovered Bernardez is a relative, a fact he was unaware of at the time of the incident.  Magistrate Dennison noted the unusual circumstances of the case and described the complainant’s decision as one of forgiveness. The charge of handling stolen goods was subsequently struck out for want of prosecution, and Bernardez was released.