Bloodied man appears in court; claims police brutality

A man appearing in Magistrate’s Court for allegedly pulling a machete on a police officer claims he was “chanced” by another officer. Olivaro Rojas, a mechanic of East Collet Canal, was formally arraigned on charges of aggravated assault this morning. However, he appeared in court drenched in blood and complained to Magistrate Margaret McKenzie that he had been beaten by a police officer whose badge bore the number 1114. He also presented a medical certificate outlining his injuries. Magistrate McKenzie told Rojas to make a report to the Ombudsman and then granted him a ten thousand dollar self-bail. He made no allegations against the officer who arrested him at three this morning, P.C. Esric Flowers, who responded to a domestic dispute report at Rojas’ home. P.C. Flowers reported that when Rojas opened the door he had a machete in his hand and waved it as if he was about to chop him with it. Rojas was struck in the face and fell to the ground. He claims that later on at the police station another officer assaulted him.