PHILIPSBURG--Police arrested a second person on Monday in connection with the armed robbery at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Hotel on September 18.

 

Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson issued a press release on Tuesday about the second arrest. Details such as the age and initials of the second suspect, as well as where the suspect had been arrested, were not provided. However, Henson said the suspect was being questioned.

 

The first Sonesta Great Bay Casino robbery suspect, a 39-year-old man W.H., was arrested at a home in Middle Region on September 23. The Prosecutor’s Office had requested a 60-day extension of his pre-trial detention when he appeared before the Judge of Instruction on Monday.

 

The Sonesta Great Bay Casino was robbed by two armed men around noon on Friday, September 18. Around US $160,000 was taken during the robbery.

 

The men threatened to use their weapons and robbed the establishment, then fled the scene. Henson said in a press release at the time that it was unclear how the suspects had made their escape. He said that with “the little description” police had of the suspects, one of the investigating officers subsequently had identified one possible suspect in the Sucker Garden area.

 

When the suspect noticed he was being pursued by police, he tried to flee in a gold-coloured Mitsubishi sports utility vehicle (SUV). Police officers fired shots as they chased the suspect. The suspect fled on foot in the direction of St. Maarten Zoo, leaving the SUV behind in the vicinity of BBW. Officers, including the K-9 unit, searched the area, but did not find the suspect.

 

A considerable amount of cash was found during a search of the SUV and was confiscated for further investigation.

 

The Daily Herald