Tyrone Castellanos’ murder was the 9th homicide for Belize City in March and one of the six that have been solved. Officer in Charge of Eastern Division – Assistant Commissioner of Police Allan Whylie today announced that over the weekend alone, police made arrests in three murders – starting with the murder of the Herman “Yagga” Morris on March 13th.
ACP Allan Whylie, Commander – Eastern Division
“Reference the murder of Herman Morris which occurred on the 13th of March in the Mayflower area, the police arrested one Art Skeet, 23 years old, laborer of a Mayflower Street address; Giovanni Gentle, 21 years old, laborer of a Banak Street address; and Marvin Reyes Cruz, 22 years old, laborer of a Banak Street address for the crimes of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Reference the murder of Edgar Segura, which occurred on the 26th of March in the St. Martin’s Deporress area, Oleander Street. Again police investigations have led to the arrest of Leonardo Casanova and also Art Skeet, this is the same Art Skeet who has been charged in the Herman Morris murder.
Reference the murder of Ludrick Beeks, 25 years of Cedar Street; and the shooting of Marvin Reyes on the 27th of March, the police have arrested and charged Brandon Smith, 22 years old, fisherman of a Mahogany street address; and Leon Gray, 19 years, unemployed, of an Oleander Street address for the crimes of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm.”
The unsolved murders are those of Raymond Thomspon, Shannon March, and Shawn Avilez. And to help you connect the dots, police did charge Art Skeet for both the murder of Yagga Morris on March 13th and Edgar Segura on March 26th. Police say that prior to the Edgar Segura murder, Skeet was already a suspect in the “Yagga” Morris murder. Skeet was still a free man because Assistant Commissioner of Police Whylie says they didn’t have sufficient evidence to charge him.
ACP Allan Whylie,
“Whilst it is good to say had we had done that, the evidence was not available then and there. As soon as it was, we made the necessary moves to apprehend these persons and we have dealt with them. They will be off the streets.”
At this morning’s press briefing Assistant Commissioner of Police Allan Whylie also spoke broadly about the surge of gun crimes in March. He says most of them were either gang related or the product of old beefs. Again warrants are out tonight for the arrest of Cordel Flowers and Charles Castillo for the Tyrone Castellanos murder.
