St. Maarten – Wanted suspect in shot-out with police
On Saturday March 7th at approximately 06.50 p.m. the Central Police Dispatch received information that the suspect well known to police as “Flamingo” was seen sitting with two other men on Raspberry road in Sint Peters.
A warrant for the arrest of “Flamingo” was issued for quite some time in connection with several ongoing criminal investigations on the island. “Flamingo” has been able to avoid his capture and is considered to be “armed and dangerous”. After receiving this information, several patrols were sent to the area to investigate the situation and to apprehend the suspect.
When the patrols arrived on the scene and the suspect realized that the police was closing-in on him, he took-off running along with the other two men in different direction. The officers started to chase the suspects through the neighborhood at which time “Flamingo” who was in the possession of a fire-arm fired several shots at the investigating officers. The officers in their defense returned fire at the suspect. Immediately the Central Dispatch was informed of the ongoing situation and mobilized several other patrols and sent them to assist.
“Flamingo” and the two other men went into hiding between the buildings of a housing complex on the Raspberry road. This area was immediately surrounded by the officers who came to assist. Traffic was diverted away from the area and persons living in the neighborhood were told to stay in their homes. Other persons and onlookers in the area were held at a safe distance.
The police then started an intense search of the area to locate the suspect and the other two men. At one point the father of the suspect was convinced he should speak to his son to turn himself in but, before the father could do so the suspect turned himself in as the police kept closing in on him. The suspect was immediately arrested along with two other men and taken to the Philipsburg Police Station where they remain in custody for further investigation.
On the scene the investigation continued by the Forensic Department that collected evidence and the Police K-9 Unit that searched for weapons and other illegal items. The Investigation done by the K-9 unit was very successful as several fire-arms and an amount of ammunition were found and confiscated for further investigation. No one was injured during the entire incident.
