Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling
PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling issued a forceful statement Sunday in response to the brazen jewellery store robbery that shocked nightlife patrons in Maho on Saturday evening.
The robbery, which took place around 9:00pm at a jewellery store in the centre of Maho Village, saw four masked suspects dressed in black shatter the store-front glass with hammers before climbing inside to seize valuables. The suspects later fled in a vehicle heading toward Lowlands. Police investigations are ongoing.
In a direct message to the public and to those responsible, Tackling condemned the crime as a serious assault on public security and vowed that law enforcement will respond decisively.
“Last night’s smash-and-grab in Maho was not only an attack on a business, it was an attack on the rule of law and on the sense of safety our community deserves,” Tackling said. “To those responsible: you will be found, you will be prosecuted, and you will face the consequences. These acts are not signs of boldness. They are criminal, and they will be stopped.”
She is following the investigations closely. “Since early this morning, I have been in continuous contact with law enforcement leadership reviewing the case details and the immediate operational steps already underway,” she said. “Investigations are progressing, evidence is being secured, and targeted actions are moving forward. This situation is being addressed with the urgency it demands.”
Tackling said she would hold an urgent meeting with the Chief of Police and the Chief Prosecutor on Monday morning to further tighten operational response and accelerate coordinated enforcement across all units. “This is not a routine meeting,” Tackling stressed, “it is a direct, immediate intervention to ensure all agencies are aligned and act swiftly.”
Crime cannot be confronted by one ministry alone, she emphasized. “This moment requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-community response, and I will continue strengthening that cooperation. We are not offering excuses, we are taking action.”
She ended her statement with: “To our residents, business community, and visitors: your safety remains my highest priority. We will restore calm. We will protect this island. Criminals will not dictate how we live or how we feel. Justice will.”
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/minister-of-justice-vows-swift-action-after-violent-smash-and-grab-in-maho
