The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that on Nov. 5 a sergeant was eating in a fast-food restaurant in Arecibo when Richard Solomón began insulting him
- Primera Hora reports the man identified as Richard Solomon Keeling of Arecibo was accused of aggression, disturbing the peace and using violence or intimidation against public authority
- Both outlets state the sergeant repeatedly asked him to stop but he did not, leading to his arrest according to the police report
- Judge Alba Calderón Cestero found probable cause, set $20,000 bail which he did not post and ordered him held in Bayamón until a Nov. 23 preliminary hearing
Incident and arrest
A 61-year-old Arecibo resident was sent to prison after he was unable to post bail on accusations stemming from an encounter with a police sergeant in a fast-food restaurant. Metro Puerto Rico reported that the events occurred on Nov. 5 at a Church’s Chicken location on the PR-129 highway in Arecibo. According to the police report cited by both outlets, Sgt. Alex Novoa González was eating when the man approached him.
The sources state that the man, identified as Richard Solomon Keeling or Richard Solomón, directed offensive words at the officer and his work. Primera Hora reported that the sergeant asked him several times to cease the behavior, but he paid no attention and was arrested. The case was referred to a prosecutor who instructed that the three charges be filed.
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Court proceedings
The case was heard by Judge Alba I. Calderón Cestero (also referred to as Alba Calderón Cestero) of the Arecibo Court of First Instance. Both Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora reported that after reviewing the evidence she found probable cause for arrest and set a total bond of $20,000, which the man did not post.
He was fingerprinted and taken to the Bayamón jail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 23. Primera Hora added that the investigation was handled by Lt. Edgar Castro Rivera, assistant to the commander of the Hatillo police district.
Where the sources differ
The two sources largely agree on the date of the incident (Nov. 5), the location (Church’s Chicken on PR-129 in Arecibo), the name and age of the man, the three charges, the identity of the sergeant, the judge, the bail amount, the failure to post bail and the preliminary-hearing date. Metro Puerto Rico shortens the man’s name to Richard Solomón while Primera Hora gives Richard Solomon Keeling. Primera Hora includes the exact address details, the fact that the case was discussed with the on-duty prosecutor and the name of the investigating lieutenant; Metro Puerto Rico does not mention those specifics.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not describe the specific words the man allegedly used, whether the sergeant was in uniform, any physical contact that may have occurred, the man’s response during the hearing, whether he has a lawyer or what arguments were presented in court. They also do not indicate when he was formally arrested relative to the incident or whether any witnesses besides the sergeant were involved.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting En prisión por insultar a sargento en restaurante en Arecibo
- Reporting Preso por insultar a sargento de la Policía
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and Primera Hora both based their accounts on the police report and court records. Details such as the exact address, the prosecutor’s involvement and the name of the investigating lieutenant rest solely on the Primera Hora account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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