Citco chainsaw operator charged with assault

Following the fiasco on Freetown Road earlier this week over a political sign, a chainsaw operator working for the Belize City Council has been charged with a crime. According to court reports, this morning thirty-three year old James Suazo pleaded not guilty to five counts of Aggravated Assault. Suazo was offered and met bail of two thousand dollars and ordered to return to court on January eighteenth. The charges stem from an incident on Monday afternoon at the corner of Freetown Road and St. Thomas Street. It was at that spot that the People’s United Party had erected a political sign, but under the direction of Mayor Zenaida Moya, the United Democratic Party City Council contended that the billboard was illegal and therefore subject to removal. As tensions escalated, the police were called in but the officers met strong opposition when they attempted to prevent council employees from cutting down the sign. Prosecutors maintain that during the melee Suazo, who was carrying a running chainsaw, advanced towards five officers in a threatening manner and made them fear for their lives. This is the second set of charges to be filed in connection to the incident. Earlier this week, City Councillor Mark King was accused of using indecent words against Senior Superintendent Chester Williams. Up to news time, no charges or counter charges have been filed against Mayor Zenaida Moya and Positive Vibes talk show host Vaughn Gill for their confrontation that afternoon.