PHILIPSBURG–Two of three young men with initials H.B. (24) and G.M. (23) were arrested on Friday shortly after 3:00pm. They are suspected of chain-snatching according to Police spokesman Ricardo Henson.
In the last three weeks there have been several official reports of a group of two or three young men snatching chains from their victims necks. Most of these incidents were reported in the Philipsburg area and the victims included tourists visiting the island.
On Friday there were two separate incidents in the Philipsburg area where the culprits attempted to snatch a chain from the necks of their targets.
The first incident occurred at around 1:00pm and the other at 3:00pm. During the first incident, the suspect did not succeed in removing the chain because the victim resisted. During the second incident the suspect succeeded but was spotted by officers of the Police Bike patrol who were in the area.
The patrol saw three suspects fleeing the scene and immediately informed the Central Dispatch of the situation. Several patrols were sent out in the area to search for the suspects.
Shortly after, one suspect was arrested in the Front Street/Back Street area while a second one was arrested after he had jumped in to the Great Salt Pond in his attempt to escape from Police. Both suspects were eventually arrested and taken to the Philipsburg Police Station for further investigation.
The second victim’s stolen chain was found on the suspect while he was being searched. The chain was confiscated and the suspects remain in custody for questioning. The third suspect has not been arrested and the Police department is still on the lookout for this person.
There are strong indications that these accused may be the same ones who have been involved in the other chain-snatching incidents. The Special Robbery Unit is busy investigating and is asking anyone who may have information regarding these robberies to immediately get in contact with the Police department.
Source: The Daily Herald: https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/57006-chain-snatchers-arrested-one-suspect-evaded-arrest
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