On January 1st 2012 at approximately 05.00 hrs some tourist
that are staying on our island reported to the Police station that
while walking in the Philipsburg area they were robbed by two unknown
men on the Boardwalk as one of them was brandishing a firearm.
The robbers removed several personal items from the tourist such as
cell phones, money, jewelry , cameras and other personal items
After committing there act they fled the scene. Our uniformed officers
after receiving this information commence an intensive search in the
Philipsburg area for these suspects that fled on foot.
With the help of and information from our good members of the
community they managed to locate and surround one of the suspects on
the premises of the Oranje school on Front street.
The suspect was ordered to come out of his hiding place and to
surrender to the police. The suspect however chose to draw his firearm
on the police officer whereas the officer was obligated to open fire
on the suspect. The suspect was shot in the left leg.
The suspect T.M a national from our neighboring island Anguilla was
still in the possession of the stolen items belonging to the tourist
that he had robbed. These items and the firearm were confiscated in
connection with the further investigation.
The suspect was then transported by ambulance to the SMMC for medical
treatment and was later released to the police and is now in custody
at the Philipsburg police station.
A further investigation led to the apprehension of four other persons
also nationals of Anguilla that where in the possession of stolen
items that was found in there hotel rooms.
The prosecutors office and the detective department are busy
investigating the shooting and further details of this case.
The police will also like to make known that our intense controls will
continue throughout the coming months.