Two suspects caught
red-handed Sunday
~ One shot by police ~
ST. EUSTATIUS--One of two men caught red-handed while attempting to rob the manager of a business establishment here early Sunday morning was shot by the police when he attempted to escape.
Police spokesman Brigadier Robelto Hodge and Inspector Alexander told The Daily Herald the suspects A.A.S. and L.N.J.L. had been caught in the act during a special police operation and were now in police custody.
He said the suspect who had been shot was in stable condition and under police guard in Queen Beatrix Medical Centre (QBMC) and his injury was not life threatening. After his release from QBMC he will be detained in the lockups at the police station.
Hodge also stated that Officer Reina Muller of the Forensic Department in St. Maarten had visited the island yesterday to conduct a preliminary investigation into the shooting incident. He said the investigation was still in its preliminary stages, so no further information could be given at this time.
As part of their strategy to tackle crime on the island, the police have been making less use of their patrol car at night in recent weeks and have been seen moving around dressed in dark clothes, on foot patrols and a few times on bicycles.
That strategy seemed to have paid rich dividends late Saturday night/early Sunday morning when officers on foot patrol reportedly stumbled on the two suspects attempting to rob the businessman.
Meanwhile, according to Hodge, two officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were on the island over the weekend in connection with a separate matter having to do with another crime situation on the island.
Inspector Alexander, who is on the island while Division Head Quintin Rogers is off, said the police were determined to clean up the island of all individuals who were making life difficult for business owners and other residents of the island. He promised the police would ensure that all residents in Statia were able to live in safety.
