MARIGOT--A joint operation between Gendarmes and Dutch-side police Wednesday night resulted in the capture of four suspects thought to be responsible for armed robberies committed on both sides of the island.

 

Gendarmerie Deputy Commandant Emmanuel Maignan said witness information about the getaway car used by the suspects following armed robberies at two businesses on Tuesday and Wednesday in Marigot had allowed the Dutch-side police to locate the suspects.

 

The four suspects, who are in custody at the Philipsburg police station, are implicated in several “aggressive and violent” robberies on the Dutch side, including a robbery in Cupecoy on Tuesday evening, according to the Gendarmerie.

 

The Guadeloupe Prosecutor decided on Thursday that the Prosecutor of St. Maarten could add the two armed robberies committed on the French side to the list of crimes committed by the suspects on the Dutch side. The detainees are suspected of having robbed the bakery “Les Delices de Fournil” in Concordia on Tuesday and the small grocery store “Happy Shop” on Rue de la Liberte, Marigot on Wednesday.

 

“What this means is that the French Prosecutor has handed over the investigation into the two armed robberies on the French side to his counterpart, through mutual agreement,” Maignan explained. “Combining crimes on both sides will result in a stiffer sentence. It’s an unusual step, but now possible thanks to the Police Cooperation Treaty. It also can be proposed by the Dutch side to the French side Prosecutor. Decisions like this can be made very quickly now.”

 

Dutch-side Prosecutor’s Office acting spokesperson Gonda van der Wulp confirmed last night that three men and a woman had been arrested Wednesday night. However, the woman was released on Thursday.

 

The Daily Herald