Philipsburg:--- Meyshane Kemar Johnson, the Jamaican suspect who was arrested early Sunday morning for the gruesome murder of American citizens Michael and Thelma King also robbed the Happy Star Chinese Restaurant on September 19th, 2012. According to reliable information reaching SMN News, Johnson borrowed someone's car to commit the robbery and police fired a shot at the vehicle.
Sources say the owner of the vehicle called police when he noticed that his vehicle had a bullet hole on it and there were suspicious items inside. SMN News also learnt that police found several incriminating items in the vehicle when they searched it and it is believed that the Kings were murdered that same night. Some of the items found in the vehicle were credit cards and a cell phone belonging to the late Michael King.
According to reliable sources, Johnson was illegally residing on the island and even though he was employed at Checkmate Security Company he indicated to his employer that he applied for the Brooks Tower (BTA) residency papers. SMN News also learnt that since the robbery of Happy Star Restaurant, Johnson did not report to work, instead he called in sick.
The sources further explained that Meyshane Kemar Johnson was working at the Souliga Service Point (SSP) and he was removed from the location, and placed as one of the company's reserves but he never worked for Ocean Club even though Checkmate Security provides guards for the timeshare resort during the morning hours.
SMN News also learnt that police is also looking for another suspect that they believe was involved in the robbery of and gruesome murder of the Kings. Sources close to the investigation state that the second suspect is a St. Maarten born minor of Jamaican descent.
Statement From Checkmate Security Concerning Cupe Coy Murder Case.
With reference to the recent murder-case, where an American couple was murdered in their hotel-room, we respectfully wish to inform you that our Company is very concerned especially with the fact that one of our employees has been suspected in this horrible crime.
Our company would first like to say that we condemn this barbaric act to Michael and Thelma King to the highest degree. We deeply sympathize with the family and friends of these long time visitors to our island and we mourn with them for their irreplaceable loss. Our company is in the business of protecting people and property and we cannot in any way associate ourselves with this heinous crime.
We are cognizant that the police is still investigating this horrible crime. However, based on widespread media reports our company would like to state that our operation certainly does considerable investigation before we employ someone as a security guard. It is quite common for us to request various sorts of proof of previous employment of possible candidates.
Not only with the local authorities, but whenever possible also with foreign agencies.
The person concerned is originally from Jamaica and before his services were engaged, our Company obtained information also from his country of origin. There was no indication of any reason to consider this case even a "doubtful one".
Within our Company we believe that this person is an example of cases where a human being can change and commit things completely out of the ordinary. Quite often negative influences/relations, and even overconfidence may lead to wrong and even criminal actions. Such actions are regularly published in the local and international press. Cases with law enforcement authorities have also happened in the past.
You may even recall that not too long ago in St. Maarten a person employed with the authorities was sentenced and sent to prison for various crimes committed while he occupied an important position with the Government.
Our company wishes to mention that it has cooperated in every possible way with the police authorities to solve this crime soonest possible.
Our Company wishes to assure you that this case is compelling us to be even more careful than we already are in our screening and investigations when engaging security employees.
Updated press release issued by Public Prosecutor's Office concerning Cupe Coy Murder Case.
The suspect, identified as M.K.J., a 28 year old male, born in Jamaica, heavily resisted his arrest, wounding a police officer. J., who got wounded too, had to be treated in hospital. Afterwards J. was taken to the police station. Since then he has been questioned. He has been cooperative to a certain extent but was reluctant to answer critical questions.
On Sunday prosecutors had a lengthy conversation with family members of the victims.
On Tuesday the forensic department and the prosecutors will confer with a representative of the Dutch Forensic Institute (NFI) on the research on the forensic material that was secured during this investigation.
During the operation leading to the arrest of the suspect, local police cooperated with the French Gendarmerie and the local Coast guard who both had their officers on alert for an extensive length of time in order to prevent the suspect from fleeing the island.
The Sint Maarten Police have opened two telephone lines for those who may have any sort of information that might be helpful to this investigation:
For local calls, please call: 9300
