Checkmate in the news again in negative light – Suspect released by Judge of Instruction but remains a suspect.
PHILIPSBURG:--- A long-time security guard working for Checkmate Security was in police custody over the weekend after he was caught on camera stealing envelopes from the Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) and pushing it in his crotch.
According to a well-placed source, the security guard identified as Eli Harrison from Jamaica unit 19 went away sometime last week while the management of PSS was investigating the disappearance of USD 80,000.00 that went missing sometime in the month of July. It is also believed that the theft was an inside job and police are busy investigating.
The source said while the known security guard was away on vacation for a few days, PSS installed new cameras, and upon his return to the job he was not aware that PSS management installed new cameras, therefore the uniformed thief went to the back of the post office and was pushing envelopes into his crotch. Police were called to the scene and they conducted a body search of the security guard who has been working at the Post Office for the past 6 years and they indeed found envelopes in his crotch. So far it is not clear if the investigation into the disappearance of the USD 80,000.00 has any relation to Eli Harrison since there are now two complaints filed by PSS, one against Harrison on Friday and one relating to the missing funds.
Chairman of PSS board Stuart Johnson confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation regarding the disappearance of USD 80,000.00. Johnson also admitted that the Checkmate Security Guard that has keys to the building was arrested on Friday when he was caught on camera placing envelopes in his crotch. Johnson said based on the briefing he got from the interim manager of PSS, he was told that the security guard was caught with mails from the registered services, he said he could not correlate whether or not the security guard is involved in the stealing of the missing cash, neither he cannot understand why a security guard would steal registered mail. “All I can tell you is what I am told by the interim manager and I am now awaiting a full report from management of PSS.”
In invited comment from spokesman from the Prosecutor Office Gino Bernadina states that E.H. was arrested on Friday September 16 on suspicions of theft. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by the post office. The Prosecutor ordered his detention for two days. After that the Prosecutor ordered his prolonged detention for another 8 days. On Monday the suspect appeared in front of the judge of instruction who reviewed his arrest and detention. The judge decided to suspend his detention. E.H. remains a suspect. The investigation continues.
