After being accused of stealing form his neighbor, Edward James Saldano is on remand at the Belize Central Prison. The stevedore of East Collect Canal is accused of stealing a $2,500 Cuban link gold chain belonging to Kenneth Geban on Sunday, October 25, 2020. To answer to the charge of theft, Saldano was arraigned before Magistrate Stephanie Gillett. Prosecutor in the case objected to bail on several grounds including the fact that Saldano is well known to the virtual complainant by the nickname “Scrub Board”. The prosecutor also asked the court to consider the prevalence of the crime and the likelihood that the accused would be likely to commit a similar offense while out on bail. Speaking on his own behalf, Saldano said that he was not guilty of the crime and that he was at home when the police picked him up. He says that he was witness to the crime but was not the actual perpetrator. Furthermore, he added that his nickname is in fact “Scrubbie” and not “Scrub Board”. Unfortunately for Saldano, Magistrate Hoare was not convinced and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until December 7, 2020.
While in police custody being transported from the court, Saldano attempted to escape by telling the officers that he needed to urinate. That is when he made a dash for it but freedom did not last long and he was quickly apprehended in the Battlefield Park.
Saldano is no stranger to the law and has been charged for a number of crimes including armed robberies, harm, and handling stolen goods.