We will not be intimidated by the gunfire by Criminals says KPSM
BETTY’s Estate:--- Several police vehicles including Chief of Police Peter de Witte rushed to Betty’s Estate Thursday morning where bandits that were busy breaking into a home in Betty's Estate fired shots at Police Officers that were on the scene. Preliminary information reaching SMN News states that even though shots were fired no one was injured. Efforts made to reach Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson proved futile as Henson did not answer his telephone. SMN News will update this news article as soon as more information becomes available.
Suspects invade home/ Shots fired at police
Several police patrols and detectives were directed, by the Central Dispatch, to a home on Pointsetta Road in Betty Estate on Thursday September 24th at approximately 10.30 a.m. The officers were sent to investigate a case of “home invasion” that was taking place at that moment, at the home in the area.
The call came in from a seemingly very scared female victim, who stated that she and her child were alone at home and that two unknown men, dressed in dark clothing, armed with handguns had forced themselves into her home and that they were in hiding. At the arrival on the scene of the first police patrol they indeed saw one of the suspects who was dressed completely in black, wearing a bullet proof vest, with his face covered, holding a gun in his hand, walking on the premises. As the officers approached the suspect, he aimed and fired a shot at them and then took off running towards the back of the building into the hills. Neither of the officers were hit. The officers took cover and then returned fire; however they were not successful in hitting the suspect. When back-up arrived an intense search of the area was conducted, but the suspects were not found.
The female victim who was obviously traumatized by the incident and her child were not physically injured. They were both checked out by paramedics. Forensic was on the scene collecting evidence. The investigation into this case will be dealt with by the Special Robbery Unit.
Note: The police department is informing the general public and those persons responsible for any criminal activity in our community, to rest assure that the police will not be intimidated by this type of action. The police will do everything in its power, to locate and apprehend those responsible in Thursday house invasion and firing shots at law enforcement officers.
In this case it is clear to see that the suspects were totally prepared to confront law enforcement and were the ones to initiate the gunfight. This criminal act is totally un- acceptable in any society.
These criminals can rest assure that the police will not stop or back down in the fight against crime. The police will continue, under all circumstances, to perform their duty, and which is to provide safety and security to the community and visitors to Sint Maarten.
In an invited comment Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte said that the Police Management have taken the incident on Thursday very serious especially since they just recently lost an officer due to crime and gunshots. De Witte said that KPSM has a meeting scheduled for Friday with the Prosecutor's Office where they will discuss this issue among others and how to re-enforce the combatting of crime now that criminals in the community have gone an extra mile in protecting themselves with fire-arms, bullet proof vests and are not afraid to fire shots at police officers.
KPSM Police Report.