Wednesday, police found out that a third suspect in the Cupecoy investigation, 20 year old J.J.W., had left Sint Maarten by airplane that afternoon for St. Thomas. Prosecution asked for his provisional arrest in view of extradition. On Thursday he was arrested by St. Thomas law enforcement officers.
The information police received revealed that this third suspect was involved in both the violent deaths of Michael and Thelma King and the robbery at the Happy Star restaurant in Philipsburg Sint Maarten on September 19th 2012 (by mistake an earlier press release mentioned the date of September 26; this is: September 19). The suspect, who waived his rights under American law, was extradited to Sint Maarten today, where he was arrested upon arrival at the airport.
W. was subsequently remanded in custody for two days, which term will be prolonged this weekend. He will be led before the judge of instruction on Monday.
A house search was performed in the suspect’s residence in Cay Hill this afternoon.
Sint Maarten police and the Prosecutor’s office have experienced excellent cooperation with American authorities.