ST.
CLOUD, Fla. —
A
St. Cloud police officer is suspended from his job.
Officer Luis Collazo said he was doing his job and helping a business owner, but police officials said he was abusing his power.
Andy Resto, owner of Andy's Tires and Mufflers in St. Cloud, said he spends nearly every day working at his shop.
Resto said that recently he had a problem with a customer who only paid for one of two cars Resto worked on. Resto said the customer took both cars home.
"He never come to pay," Resto said.
Resto said he called the customer for two days, leaving messages, but never heard from the customer.
"He don't answer the phone; we call the police," said Resto.
That, police said, is when Collazo got involved.
Police said Collazo sent a text message to the customer saying, "This is scpd you need to answer your phone because you are the suspect of theft for services."
According to police, the customer said he thought he paid for both vehicles. He responded to Collazo's text with a text of his own: "If there is a communication problem, please discuss to resolve, and do not threaten me."
Collazo went on to say a warrant would be issued if the man didn't pay for the services.
Those text messages now have Collazo serving a 33-hour suspension, without pay.
"Officer Collazo decided to go forward and send threatening messages," said Sgt. Denise Roberts of the St. Cloud Police Department.
Roberts said the issue between Resto and the customer is a civil matter, not a criminal issue, because Resto was collecting debt.
Collazo, who insists there was criminal intent, is fighting his suspension.
Collazo's attorney said his client is being retaliated against by his department head, which has resulted in five other internal investigations this year ranging from misuse of his position, to failure to comply and domestic violence.
"Officer Collazo has been targeted in a manner which seems to be inconsistent with common sense and the law...he will pursue any and all legal recourse," the attorney said in a statement sent to Channel 9.
Officer Luis Collazo said he was doing his job and helping a business owner, but police officials said he was abusing his power.
Andy Resto, owner of Andy's Tires and Mufflers in St. Cloud, said he spends nearly every day working at his shop.
Resto said that recently he had a problem with a customer who only paid for one of two cars Resto worked on. Resto said the customer took both cars home.
"He never come to pay," Resto said.
Resto said he called the customer for two days, leaving messages, but never heard from the customer.
"He don't answer the phone; we call the police," said Resto.
That, police said, is when Collazo got involved.
Police said Collazo sent a text message to the customer saying, "This is scpd you need to answer your phone because you are the suspect of theft for services."
According to police, the customer said he thought he paid for both vehicles. He responded to Collazo's text with a text of his own: "If there is a communication problem, please discuss to resolve, and do not threaten me."
Collazo went on to say a warrant would be issued if the man didn't pay for the services.
Those text messages now have Collazo serving a 33-hour suspension, without pay.
"Officer Collazo decided to go forward and send threatening messages," said Sgt. Denise Roberts of the St. Cloud Police Department.
Roberts said the issue between Resto and the customer is a civil matter, not a criminal issue, because Resto was collecting debt.
Collazo, who insists there was criminal intent, is fighting his suspension.
Collazo's attorney said his client is being retaliated against by his department head, which has resulted in five other internal investigations this year ranging from misuse of his position, to failure to comply and domestic violence.
"Officer Collazo has been targeted in a manner which seems to be inconsistent with common sense and the law...he will pursue any and all legal recourse," the attorney said in a statement sent to Channel 9.
