In the heat of the night; two vehicles set on fire
The Fire Department was called to the scene before dawn this morning in the area of Vernon Street. Two vehicles parked near the Red House were on fire and the owners believe it is a case of arson. The vehicles belonged to the Galvez family; one of the brothers Chris was murdered in December 2009 and his murder remains unresolved. The family claims that from time to time, they have received threats, and one high profile member is Yolanda Schakron of Belizeans for Justice, who has taken a tough stand against the police. News Five’s Jose Sanchez reports.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Two vehicles were engulfed in flames after four this morning in the parking lot behind Red House on Vernon Street. Jermyn Galvez, a.k.a. Leonidas, says the vehicles were deliberately set on fire.
Jermyn ‘Leonidas’ Galvez
Jermyn ‘Leonidas’ Galvez, Claims Arson
“Two of our friend from behind Conch Shell Bay mi di stone our window and thing di holla and seh wah car deh pan fiyah. So we mi think dah maybe pan di street or so, but when dehn say that dah one our friend vehicle from eena di yaad deh pan fire, when they say di certain name of the owner of the vehicle and thing, dah then I run out cause he usually park his vehicle right beside my Cadillac. So when we run out, his vehicle mi deh park dah different parking spot than usually normal. Right beside it, you have wah Camry and thing. The blaze mi deh really high. Ih mi deh above the container height weh you see deh. Fire truck and thing respond instantly, police mi deh yah and thing right away. They neva waste no time. They do weh they could when they reach, but by the time dehn mi reach, the vehicle mi done engulf eena flames. So I mean, they couldn’t do much fi save the vehicle, but dehn put out the flame before ih spread to any other vehicle. We had like maybe nine or ten other vehicles eena the yard at the time when den yah two vehicles get bun.”
Martin Galvez’s vehicle was also in the yard. His arm was scorched while moving his pick-up from the area. A month ago his brother’s vehicle was also torched. Threats have occasionally reached the Galvez family after Martin’s son, Chris, was murdered.
Martin Galvez
“My pickup truck was just beside the vehicle that was on fire and I just ask the fireman if I can move my truck. And he says yeah just go ahead and move it quickly. So I moved it and as soon as I reversed my vehicle and I just lean my hand on it to close back the door, I got scorched right here on my hand. It was so hot. This vehicle was just engulfed in flames.”
Jose Sanchez
“This kind of thing, has it happened before?”
Martin Galvez
Martin Galvez
“Not in this yard here. I guess like a little over a month ago brother’s vehicle was burnt. But not in the yard here.”
Jose Sanchez
“It does seem like someone is attacking either the family or family business or family yard?”
Martin Galvez
“It would seem that way yeah; it would seem that way. The vehicles don’t really belong to a Galvez per say, but then sometimes people would just pick a yard to send a statement or make a statement you know.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do you think it is because the family has been vocal after the death of Chris, after Belizeans for Justice being outspoken?”
Martin Galvez
“After you speak out in Belize, you get people weh like you, you get people weh hate yoh. So you get both responses out there. I live here—I’m the only Galvez who still lives in the yard here with my family, but I won’t make any more changes per say. Probably sleep a little lighter or stuff like that, try and be vigilant. Probably get a couple more dogs in the yard. As far as changes, probably put up some cameras or something like that. But if somebody wants to do you something like that mien they gonna find a way and time to do it. You can’t really run from it. Sad to say, but you can’t prevent things like these.”
Jose Sanchez
“Your aunt, Yolanda Schakron of Belizeans for Justice had a similar Camry?”
Jermyn ‘Leonidas’ Galvez
“Yeah. Very close in color and shape and everything to this same Camry.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do you think maybe it has something to do with her work with the Belizean for Justice; maybe someone is trying to frighten her? There seems to be no motive.”
Jermyn ‘Leonidas’ Galvez
“I don’t know mien because like you say, no motive. Everybody you ask, nobody see nothing, they noh see who do it, but we just have to maybe hope somebody come out one of these days and say like we see so and so come outta di yard or something and then maybe we could go from there. But right now we really noh know weh dah di reason behind these vehicle di get bun up this morning.”
Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
Chances are, we’ll never know.
many have died by the hands of the goerge st gang;nnow its their tur to feel d pinch;
Come one does anyone really think its bc of Shackron speaking out for Belizean for Justice. They deal with drugs and is linked to the George Street gangs. This is underground $#!% that is happening. Does young guys roll with members of George Street and like to chance and threaten people. They into shady business and thats why threats are coming their way. You reap what you plant. Don’t try to make it about this woman standing up for her self motivated justice.
THE NOTORIOUS JERYMN GALVEZ… LOVES TO USE WORDS LIKE “AFFLIATED WITH THIS ONE AND THAT ONE, AND U BETTER WATCH OUT HE AFFILIATED WITH GEORGE ST TOO… LOL… ONE BY ONE, ALL OF YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR SINS BUDDY… ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, TRUST ME. “YOU”, GOT LOT TO PAY FOR YET BUDDY. YOU LIVE DANGEROUS, NOW YOU PLAY THE FOOL LIKE YOU DONT KNOW WATS GOING ON? PLEASE! ITS TIME TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, STOP BE AFFLIATED WITH THIS ONE AND THAT ONE, ITS TIME TO BE YOURSELF! REMEMBER IN LIFE, EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!
JAH BLESS….
these family really like attention, I wouldn’t doubt they set the vehicles on fire themselves, so yolanda get more attention, then they turn around a blame somebody else.
Good excuse to get new vehicles, insurance will surely pay.
FOOL DI TALK BUT DAH NO FOOL DI LISTEN OK
ALL THIS IS A SET UP BY THE GALVEZ AND SHACKRON, THEY WELL KNOW THEY ARE OF THE CRIME SITUATION IN OUR CITY NOW THEY WANT TO PLAY LIKE IF THEY ARE INNOCENT VICTIMS,
COMMON GUYS YOU KNOW THE GAME YOU ARE PLAYING, HEY YOLANDA TELL YOUR FAMILY STOP PLAY WITH FIRE!!!!! THEY WILL GET BURN I AM TELLING YOU.
SOONER THAN LATER THE CATS WILL COME OUT OF THE BAG.
THE GALVEZ’S AND THE SHACKRON ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM IN BELIZE, THEY INSTIGATE CRIME, I AM TELLING YOU
Mayb the white man d get payback,remember d jeep.
SUPA G FOR MUSICAL AMBASSADOR!!!!!!
Leonidas from Sparta…funny.
WHAT’S DONE IN THE DARK…………………WILL eventually COME TO LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess some people don’t know how to listen.Did you not hear the guy say that none of the cars belong to them but for friends…geeze!…Some of you can’t read nor can you listen and comprehend.How will they collect insurance if the cars does not belong to them? Illiterate to the bone. Anyways, when people speak out,anything can happen. Yes it can be revenge for the white man’s jeep, it could be because of Mrs Schrakon speaking out and it could be because of who the kids affiliate or use to affiliate with. Belize just gone crazy. Any one’s number can play.I wish them all the best and the our beautiful country too.
my 2cents @ re= you are the idiot can’t you read at the beginning of news it say that the vehicles belong to the Galvez Family, you foolfool, you are the illiterate to the bone, sucker.
Read and understand, I bet you never pass your PSE
Large and sexy you all do not listen. The vehicles do not belong to the galvez family. you must be an illiterate fool. Gosh you all full of hate man. repent and pray
If these people have been receiving threats,i don’t see how the suspect or suspect’s still havn’t been detained.What happen to phone records?
We the Belizean people need to stop condone violence against our own people.This violence in the Jewel need to be condem by every Belizean Citizen.We only seems to care when it’s one of our family member that is affected.Done with the BS my people.
Who ths F are the George Street Gangs?Why are we patronizing these idiots?
@ westernmermaid, u need to crawl back under the sea from hence you came. @ suspicious.Thank you for I know now that i heard the right. I hope dumb @$$ westernmermaid listen to the news again. The people said the cars were not theirs you DAMN IDIOT….u act more like Findingnemo instead of westernmermaid.I should not even reply to you because you probably as dumb as your screen name.
@ westernmermaid,i guess you dont even know how to find the link to listen you fool. I would rather listen than to read because only then you get it from the horses mouth. Its not what you read that is important but what you heard that came from the people’s mouth, for that you can take to court rather than a so called verbatim that is not accurate.I suggest you click on the link and LISTEN you jacka$$.
8 of the vehichels that was in the yard at the time of the fire was for members of the galvez family the 2 that were burnt are not!!