He rode it across the finishing line in style when he won last Sunday’s Valentine’s Day Cycle Race – but that’s just a memory now because last night, Marlon Castillo was bike jacked. It happened at gunpoint after 6:30 - near the corner of George and Orange Streets. And now Belize’s premier cyclist is offering a reward of one thousand dollars for the return of his bike. He told us why.
Marlon Castillo,
“That is the only bike I have like to train and that is my racing bike. That is like…your everything.”
And last night someone rode off with Marlon Castillo’s everything – this grey and black Scott brand racer bike. Marlon says he was approaching this barbershop near the corner of George and Orange Streets when two men approached him.
Marlon Castillo,
“I was going home but at the same time it was Thursday and I said I would stop in to take a trim at Jack because I know Friday it is always busy. So I thought it would be best to get my trim tonight than tomorrow. So from there I would have headed home. Same time Jack told me to drop the bike in his yard. The guys came and approached me and told me not to move and to get the bike. They searched and took my phone, and the $20 I had to trim. So when they were riding off I told them that that is not a smart idea because what would they do with the bike, will they hang it up on their house, and they rode off.”
The bicycle is valued at $13,000 but Andrew Ordonez, who runs Ordonez Bike Shop, says that it will be completely useless to whoever stole it.
Andrew Ordonez, Ordonez Bike Shop
“That kind of bike is not your regular everyday bicycle and the components,
the bike, thee are actually only three bikes like that in Belize and no one would even want to buy it so it is kind of worthless to whosoever has it.”
Keith Swift,
What if they strip it for parts?
Andrew Ordonez,
“Even the parts, nobody would buy those parts so it is a waste of time.”
But there is no dollar value for it to Marlon Castillo – Belize’s premier cyclist.
Marlon Castillo,
“About six months now I’ve had the bike so I just got it before the year started so I hope I get it before, I want to get it as quick as possible so I could get back on the road and train, don’t miss a lot of training.”
Keith Swift,
What is the next immediate race that you are preparing for?
Marlon Castillo,
“Well we got the ninth of March and the Cross Country as the next major races.”
Keith Swift,
How often do you normally ride?
Marlon Castillo,
“Well I ride Monday to Sunday. I didn’t go and ride this morning. Friday is actually like a rest day, but you rest on your bike still and do a little spinning to mile ten and back.”
And that is why Marlon Castillo is offering a cash reward to anyone who can secure the return of his bike.
Marlon Castillo,
“If they see my bike, the brand is a Scott so if they see anybody with a grey and black, if they see anybody with it just inform Ordonez Bike Shop and that is all I have to say.”
Again the reward is one thousand dollars. You can call either the police or Ordonez Bike Shop at 227-8751 if you have information on who stole it.
