00:00According to the TNT Police Service, Police Constable Stefano Haban and Jelani Prima were arrested and formally charged on March
00:0830th following investigations conducted by the Professional Standards Bureau.
00:13It comes on the heels of an arrest the officers made on March 14th where a motorist was stopped by
00:18the officers in a marked police vehicle along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of Mausica.
00:24After producing his documents as requested, the man was told that he was in possession of a stolen vehicle, which
00:30he denied.
00:31Nonetheless, he was handcuffed and taken into the police vehicle.
00:35However, it is alleged that the officers made a detour from the police station and drove along Mausica Road where
00:40they demanded money from the man in exchange for his release.
00:44Further allegations are that the officers solicited $20,000 from the individual and demanded an upfront payment of $10,000.
00:52It has been reported that they drove the motorist to an ATM machine where the man withdrew the money upon
00:59request from the officers.
01:01He was allegedly told that he would face further consequences if the rest of the money was not paid.
01:07The constables have also been accused of taking money from the man's wallet during the ordeal.
01:12The PSB investigation was led by DCP Natasha George and ACP Richard Smith.
01:18Constables Hay-Ban and Prima have been jointly charged with misbehavior in public office for kidnapping and misbehavior in public
01:26office for corruptly and dishonestly obtaining $10,000.
01:31PC Hay-Ban faces several other charges including attempting to corruptly and dishonestly obtain $20,000,
01:39larceny of $1,200, multiple counts of attempting to obtain additional sums of money and corruptly and dishonestly obtaining $500.
01:49The officers have been arrested under preventative detention orders and they are presently being held at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation
01:57Center.
01:58The matter was heard before Anarima Magistrate today, March 31st, and the case has been adjourned to April 14th, 2026.
02:06Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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