SAINT-MARTIN – The Gendarmerie Saint-Martin has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public safety with the recent arrest and conviction of an armed robber. This success followed just three weeks after the apprehension of three individuals responsible for an armed robbery at a currency exchange office in the French Quarter. These actions underscore their dedication to combating serious crime across the island.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a gendarmerie patrol in the French Quarter identified a white SUV matching the description of a vehicle reported stolen and linked to several recent criminal incidents. As officers approached, they observed a masked and gloved individual exit the vehicle carrying a handgun and enter a local Chinese grocery store.
While the driver of the SUV fled the scene at high speed, the gendarmes immediately entered the establishment. They discovered the suspect in the process of robbing the cashier at gunpoint. The officers swiftly intervened, issuing commands and arresting the individual without incident. A loaded 9mm handgun was seized from the suspect.
The individual, a native of Sint Maarten, was immediately taken into custody. Following an investigation conducted under the direction of the Basse-Terre public prosecutor's office, the suspect was brought before the Saint-Martin Judicial Court.
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the court sentenced the perpetrator to five years in prison, with a committal order for immediate imprisonment.
This outcome highlights the seamless collaboration between the Gendarmerie and the Basse-Terre public prosecutor's office. We want to assure the public that all crimes of this nature will be met with a decisive and firm response.
The residents and business owners of Saint-Martin can count on the constant vigilance and proactive efforts of the island's gendarmes. "We remain fully engaged, day and night, to ensure the safety and security of our community," the Gendarmerie stated.
