Peterborough’s police chief is speaking out against some backlash the service is facing in relation to charges laid against a store clerk who thwarted a would-be robber.
At around 2:30 a.m. on January 5th, officers responded to a call regarding an incident at a convenience store located in the area of King and Bethune Streets. Upon arrival, they learned that a male clerk was helping a customer when a second individual entered the store brandishing a baseball bat while demanding money.
A struggle ensued between the clerk and the suspect, resulting in the clerk being struck with the bat before managing to take possession of the bat as the suspect fled from the store. The clerk chased the suspect outside and struck him several times with the baseball bat on the sidewalk. The suspect sustained head injuries and was taken to a Toronto hospital for treatment. The clerk received treatment from EMS at the scene.
Reaction on social media ranged from confusion to anger over an aggravated assault charge laid against the clerk.
Chief Stuart Betts released this public statement late Tuesday:
I would not normally release a message of this kind, but the commentary that has taken place following our media release today, in relation to a store clerk also being charged following an attempted robbery, is unfair to the men and women of my Organization – they are doing great work in our community.
Yes, this case is unusual, but in a world where security cameras are everywhere, do you really think we would not have seized & reviewed the footage as part of the investigation and prior to laying charges?
If you follow anything in the media, you will know that I cannot speak to the particulars of this case because it is before the Court, but if you have a desire to know what has led to the charges, follow the case in Court. Allow the facts of the case to guide your commentary and opinion, not your reaction to a headline.
I have been Chief of the Peterborough Police Service for exactly 365 days (1 year today) and those who follow me, and/or live in our community, know that I am vocal about public safety, accountability & transparency all in an effort to maintain public trust & confidence. I have every confidence in my staff.
You may not like the police. You may not like my Police Organization in particular. I can’t change or comment on what you believe may or may not have been done in the past – I wasn’t a part of the past, I am the present.
This is not about politics – politics have nothing to do with the facts.
This is not about race – as some have suggested.
This is not about the perception that criminals go free while victims of crime are penalized – this is about the law.
I encourage you to stop and think about things before determining what you think has happened, or that an injustice has taken place, because I’m quite confident that not one person who has made a comment about this case has seen the video or has access to the actual facts.
Peterborough Police are still investigating and are asking any witnesses to call 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)
