ORANJESTAD — Patrick van der Eem – who was arrested Monday evening – was brought before the magistrate August 27th 2009.
According to the Public Prosecutor, he is being held in custody due to threatening someone ‘very seriously’. This person – whose name is unknown – reported the threat.
Van der Eem was apprehended afterwards, and the body search revealed possession of cocaine. According to the Public Prosecutor, it was determined that ‘he was not dealing’ in view of its quantity. Therefore, the reason for his detainment is not the drugs, according to spokeswoman Ann Angela, but the threat. "It is normal with such serious threats that the suspect is confined during the investigation." Van der Eem supposedly also has outstanding bills with various hotels on Aruba. His car was towed away from the Radisson hotel where he had been staying until his apprehension (see picture).
Van der Eem earned a worldwide reputation after he had coaxed a confession with hidden cameras from main suspect Joran van der Sloot on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.