MARIGOT- A number of armed robberies committed recently on the French side of the island has caused the gendarmerie to deploy some 18-armed gendarmes to the streets of St. Martin. According to head of the gendarmerie Captain Loic Baras, the French side of the island has seen an increase in armed robberies and the latest victim has been the Maison de la Presse. Baras said armed gunmen held up the cashier prior to getting away with an undisclosed amount of monies. Other victims included well-known restaurants, none of which was reported by the gendarmerie.
Baras said a number of businesses on the French side have become victims of armed robberies during the past months.
The new team of gendarmes will be patrolling through the streets of Marigot and other areas during the day and night time. Also available to the team of Zero Tolerance Officers are unmarked vehicles that are able to work in civilian clothing.
A specific control on motor vehicles was ordered by the prosecutor, that operation took place yesterday in several areas on the French side.
Baras said their hope is to reduce the amount of armed robberies with the presence of the new team. However, if that does not happen the gendarmerie would seek to bring in more reinforcement from Guadeloupe.