Attempted run over of a Bike Patrol Officer – one arrest made
On Sunday October 22, the Sint Maarten Police Force assisted by members of the Police Forces of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, The Royal Marechaussee, VKC and VKS, carried out extra Patrols in the Simpson Bay Area, since an Benefit Concert took place at Kim Sha Beach. Just before midnight, one of the Bike Officers on the Billy Folly Road, saw a man driving reckless that drew his attention. The officer approached the man, but the driver was not amused that the officer signaled him. The driver purposely attempted to run over the Bike Patrol Police Officer with his car. When the Police Officer noticed what was happening, with a swift, well trained response, he fortunately managed to avoid the vehicle.
After this act, the man drove off, but the Police Officers noted the vehicle details. Several patrols were informed by the Central Dispatch Center to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the same car was found in Simpson Bay area. The suspect was identified and due to good police work and combining Forces, the suspect was apprehended a bit later at a local establishment in Simpson Bay. The suspect P.B. was arrested at 00:30 am on Monday October 23, and brought to the Police Station for questioning.
The Sint Maarten Police Force will not tolerate and will use all means of the law, to act against this type of behavior.
Minor arrested with a knife after school hours
On Monday October 23, around 12:30 pm, the Sint Maarten Police Force received a call about a student of a secondary school in St. Peters, who was most likely in the possession of a knife. The Patrol was send to the school and by the time they arrived and found the student in question, the suspect (J.G. 17 years old) threw the knife in the bushes and when the officers found it, the student claimed it was not his weapon. The suspect did not have a valid ID Card at that moment. The Police Officers took him in custody and brought the minor suspect to the Headquarters in Philipsburg for questioning. After hearing he was sent home with a stiff warning from the Police officers.
Armed robbery Lucky Star on Thursday October 26, 2017
The Special Robbery Unit of the Police Department is presently investigating an armed robbery at the Chinese Supermarket Lucky Star in Dutch Quarter. The incident took place on Thursday October 26th at approximately 07.15 p.m. The call came in to the Emergency Dispatch who immediately sent the police patrol to investigate what had taken place. On the scene the officers spoke to the victims and several witnesses. According to the information that was gathered is that one young man with a handgun threatened the employee with his weapon and took money from the cash register. The suspect fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Detectives are investigating the armed robbery, any tips are welcome.
Safety tips in the event of an armed robbery
The police force of Sint Maarten is doing its upmost to protect you from all kinds of criminal activities. Unfortunately, armed robberies do occur in our community. They are criminal acts that have serious impact on victims as well as public. Because it’s better to be safe than sorry, the Sint Maarten Police Force has some precautions listed for you. Possibly they can help you prevent a robbery.
Precautions
1.Always bear in mind to observe your environment. You, off course, know best what’s ‘normal’ in your own surroundings, so if you see any suspicious people or vehicles, don’t hesitate to call the police (911). Give them a good description of the people or vehicle that seems suspicious to you. Good observation only can take place when your business and surrounding areas are well lit, so repair broken lights or install new ones.
- Make sure you have as little money as possible in your store. Take your money to safer places regularly, for instance a bank. In case your store does get robbed, the robbers don’t have a big gain.
3.Make sure your shop closes at the hour that’s on your permit. Don’t let your last latecoming customer be the one who takes all the money you’ve earned that entire day.
- If you have the opportunity; buy some camera’s that record whoever comes into your store. The images recorded on the camera’s can really help the police in their investigation.
When, in spite of all the taken precautions, a robbery still does take place, the Sint Maarten Police Force has got the following do’s and dont’s for you:
When the robbery is taking place
Do’s
- Stay calm, because you are a better observer when you are calm.
- Watch out for your own safety.
- Let the robber(s) know you intend to cooperate, this will keep the robber calm as well. You certainly don’t want him to panic.
- Try to follow their orders precisely and calmly.
- If you must move or reach for something, inform the robber first so they’ll know what to expect.
- Hit the alarm when it is safe to do so.
- If you can, call security even if you have activated the alarm. Think of a right time to alarm possible bystanders too. They can help you by, for example, calling the police or taking a good look at the suspect. Two pairs of eyes see more than one.
- Don’t focus on the weapon, but try to observe the surrounding area. Observe every detail about the robber and note the means and direction of the escape (if you can). This information is very important for forensics and further investigation.
Don’ts
- Try not to resist
- Never outwardly panic.
- When you scream gesture or do anything to call attention to the situation, first think of the right time to do so.
- Never assume that a gun is not real, not loaded, or that a young and innocent looking robber will not shoot you.
- Do not offer or volunteer more than is demanded.
- Make no sudden movements that may anger the robber or cause them to panic.
After the robbery has occurred:
- Call the police as soon as you can and secure the scene to preserve any evidence. Lock the doors, keep people away from the areas that the robbers were in and secure any and all evidence that may have been left behind by the suspects. Also don’t touch anything the robber has touched. These measures are extremely important for the forensic investigation.
- Immediately write down information about the incident and robbers specifically.
- Write down exactly what you saw, and have anyone who had seen the event do the same. Ask witnesses to stay with you until the police has arrived.
- Only record factual information. Do not guess at anything you are unsure of and do not compare your own information with witnesses. The more factual information we have got, the better it is for our investigation.
- Get as much information about the escape without going after them:
- What means did they use?
- What direction did they go?
- Were there any accomplices
- If they used a car, what are the make, model, and colour or tag number?
- If people, who saw what happened cannot stay, get their name, address and telephone number for the police. They might be important witnesses who can help us catch whoever committed the robbery.
What to tell 911?
- We have been robbed.
- Identify yourself, make very clear where you are.
- Stay on the line and answer the questions the police employee asks you.
