Sint Maarten : Police officer seriously injured in traffic accident – 4 suspects arrested during house searches
Police officer seriously injured in traffic accident.
The police traffic department is presently investigating a serious head-on collision involving a motorcycle police officer and a small van driven by another police officer. The call came in to the Emergency Dispatch Center around 08.45 p.m. on Sunday October 15th, informing them of the collision which took place on the L.B. Scot in the vicinity of the Sheik Supermarket. The call also stated that the motorcycle officer was severely injured and needed immediate medical attention. The female occupant of the van driven by another police officer suffered a small wound to her head which also needed medical attention.
The scene was closed off and traffic in and out of Sint peters was diverted for the emergency services to attend to the victim and conduct an investigation. Both victims were treated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for further treatment.
The doctors stated during treatment of the motorcycle officer that his left foot was seriously damaged and partially severed and that he would need immediate surgery. After coming out of surgery the doctors stated that the condition of the officer was stable and would recommend at a later stage if he would flown abroad for further medical attention.
The police traffic department is conducting an in depth investigation to determine exactly what caused the accident. As more information regarding the condition of the officer becomes available the media will be informed.
4 suspects arrested during house searches.
A search team consisting of members from the Royal Marechassee, the R.S.T., the Customs, the Police Department and the Public Prosecutors Office jointly carried searches in 4 buildings under the suspicion of human trafficking. The building consisted of one erotic club and three dwellings.
Three main suspects have been arrested under the suspicion of the exploitation of mainly women from the Dominican Republic. A fourth suspect was later arrested for fire-arm possession. Thus far four suspects have arrested and more arrests are not excluded.
A total of 6 fire-arms, documents, cash and digital equipment have been confiscated for further investigation. On the island of Sint Eustatius a similar search was done at an erotic club which has ties to the suspects involved in this case.
The suspects remain in custody for further investigation.
