From Daily Herald

PHILIPSBURG–Another bank robbery occurred in Cole Bay around 10:00am on Tuesday. First Caribbean Bank at the Laguna View Professional Centre on Welfare Road was robbed in broad daylight, less than a month after the brazen daylight robbery on Scotiabank, which is close to the location of yesterday’s robbery.

Uniformed police, detectives and the Coast Guard responded to the robbery, with the Coast Guard approaching the bank from the lagoon and containing the lagoon side of the scene. A police investigation is currently underway.

A local source said that three masked men entered the bank armed with guns. They took an undisclosed amount of money before leaving the scene in a light blue Kia Picanto, which was located by police officers in Narrow Drive, Cole Bay. No one was injured in the robbery.

It is believed that this latest robbery was committed by the same gang who robbed Scotiabank in Cole Bay on June 11. The modus operandi of both robberies is very similar, and both robberies appear to have been very well-prepared in advance.

The St. Maarten Police Force issued a press release stating that on Tuesday, July 7, between 9:50am and 10:00am, several phone calls came in to the Central Police Dispatch reporting an armed robbery at First Caribbean Bank on Welfare Road.

According to the reports, three armed men dressed in dark clothing stormed into the bank holding the security guard and the personnel of the bank hostage. The robbers then proceeded to rob the bank whilst threatening to use their weapons.

The press release continues: “After committing this act, the robbers fled the bank on foot running towards the rear of the building. It is still unclear if the robbers used a vehicle to leave the area.”

The report confirms that no one was injured during the robbery. Detectives are questioning witnesses and the Forensic Department gathered evidence on the scene. No suspects have been arrested in this case at the time of press.

The Police Department is asking anyone who saw what took place or has any other information concerning this case to give the Police Department a call at tel. 911, the tip line 9300 or 542-0433.

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