PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Police Force KPSM received a call around 10:40am Friday concerning a kidnapping in Cole Bay. A man 18-20 years old was alleged to have been forced into a car by at least three other persons. The kidnappers then drove off in two vehicles.
The St. Maarten police informed French authorities about the incident and later in the day French authorities reported that the cars involved in the suspected kidnapping had been stopped and the suspects arrested.
According to Gendarmerie Capitaine Thierry Verres, the suspects are now in custody at La Savanne. One of them is considered the main kidnapper while the others are said to be accomplices. Both cars, one of which is a “small, white car,” were confiscated for further investigation, said Verres.
However, the victim was not with the suspects at the time of the arrest and his whereabouts remained unknown up to press time.
“The law enforcement agencies on both sides of the island are busy with this investigation,” said the Dutch-side police in a press release.
Persons who may have additional information that can help in this investigation are requested to contact the St. Maarten police via tel. 1-721-542-2222 ext. 213/214.
