Multiple vehicle arsons related
It’s the kind of thing that when it happens in isolation it’s not particularly big news. But the destruction of two vehicles by fire in Belize City early Saturday morning looked to be more than just coincidence. Twenty two year old businessman Jose Matus was the first to report his gray four door Chevrolet car destroyed around four thirty Saturday morning. A little over a half hour later, twenty four year old messenger Clay Monsanto awoke to find his Nissan Maxima car in a blaze of fire. The police quickly saw through the mere coincidence theory and their investigation points to something far more sinister. Patrick Jones, reports.
The two incidents have left the managers of the Conscious Youth Development Program in an uneasy position and police with a lot of questions. But as his officers try to tie up the loose ends, the head of C.I.B. Simeon Alvarez says it’s looking more and more like the work of someone out for revenge.
A.I.P. Simeon Alvarez – Head, C.I.B.
“Well we are looking it at that; we are looking it at that at that point that it is a revenge and we are looking for three suspects at this time whom we believe can assist us in the burning of these vehicles.”
Although both victims are no strangers to the rough and tumble lifestyle of gang association, Alvarez says in Saturday’s case, Monsanto might have been caught in the cross fire of a long standing dispute between Jose Matus and one Anthony Johnson, whose vehicle was similarly destroyed by fire earlier this month.
A.I.P. Simeon Alvarez
“From my point of our investigation, we cannot say whether it’s a drug related incident. But all we know at this time is that they did have a misunderstanding at Lumba Yaad.”
But while the police are focusing on a revenge theory, Director of the Conscious Youth Development Program Edward Broaster, is looking into a different angle.
Inspector Edward Broaster, C.Y.D.P.
“We have been working to try to keep this sort of conflict from happening unfortunately something is going on and word on the street is it’s a drug deal went sour. We’re going to be checking into that and seeing exactly what the problem is and resolve the conflict between these parties if there is any queries of. From what has taken place the allegation may well be true as it may well be not. We’ll look into it and we’ll work with both parties and resolve the conflict as we usually do.”
A.I.P. Simeon Alvarez
“At this time I wouldn’t say it is gang because the Ghost Town Crips are not active. The name just remain with them but the gang situation, I wouldn’t say it’s a gang related incident; it’s a more revenge.”
Patrick Jones, for News Five.
When the culprit or culprits have been caught they will be charged with arson and damage to property.
