SINT MAARTEN (COLE BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is investigating an attempted robbery that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m. in the Welfare Road area, near Market Garden Supermarket.
An off-duty police officer was driving in the area when he noticed two persons riding on a scooter. Both individuals were dressed in dark clothing and had their faces covered. After passing the officer's vehicle, the scooter made a U-turn and began following the vehicle.
The officer subsequently observed the scooter stop near a man and a woman who were standing along the roadside. The passenger got off the scooter and approached the male victim, who was wearing a gold chain around his neck.
The suspect was observed making a movement toward the victim's neck and appeared to be attempting to take the gold chain. A physical confrontation then began between the suspect and the victim.
Recognizing that a robbery was taking place, the off-duty officer intervened and identified himself as a police officer. The driver of the scooter fled in the direction of Cole Bay, while the officer confronted the second suspect and ordered him to stop.
The suspect complied with the officer's instructions and was subsequently arrested and brought to the station by the patrol officers who apparead at the loctation. The suspect who is a minor is being held at the police station Phlipsburg pending further investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing, including efforts to identify and locate the second suspect.
KPSM is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist the investigation to contact the police at 542-2222 or anonymously through the police tip line at 9300.
