China
La Mera Mera
From left: Jason Hibbert, Matthew Navarro, Barry Hunter
http://www.wsvn.com/story/26849858/...training-allegedly-rob-3-women-in-miami-beach- A South Florida firefighter and a man with aspirations to become a City of Miami police officer are in very hot water after alarming allegations were raised against them involving robbery, assault and impersonating police officers.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, former Miami-Dade firefighter Jason Hibbert, 38, Matthew Navarro, 22, who had applied to enter the police academy, plus a friend of the suspects, Barry Hunter, claimed to be police officers when they approached three women in Miami Beach on Washington Avenue and 16th Street, while one of the women and her friend were having a verbal argument.
One of the victims asked for proof from Navarro showing he was, in fact, a legitimate police officer, as he claimed to be. Navarro reportedly showed her a picture on his phone of him in a police uniform.
Shortly after, the suspects quickly assaulted and robbed the women.
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Hibbert placed her in a choke-hold then twisted her right arm and stole her watch, bracelet and earrings. Another victim claimed she was punched in the face by Navarro, who continuously told her to calm down.
The men fled but didn't get far as police tracked them down in a Nissan Altima, traveling on the MacArthur Causeway. Officers reported that the victims' stolen jewelry was in the vehicle with the suspects.
[....]
Hibbert and Navarro were charged with robbery, battery and impersonating a police officer while Hunter was charged with robbery.
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City of Miami Police clarified that Navarro was far from any kind of consideration as an addition to their police force. In a statement, Miami Police Major Delrish L. Moss said, "Mr. Navarro was merely one of more than 1,300 applicants who have applied for the position of police officer with the Miami Police Department and nothing more. He is not, nor has he ever been, an employee of the Miami Police Department."
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Since the crime occurred, Hibbert has been released from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. A statement was released on his relievement reading: "Firefighter Jason Hibbert has been employed with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue since January 5, 2004. At this time, he has been relieved of duty pending formal charges and investigation."
All three victims sustained only minor injuries in the incident.