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Three suspects arrested in the murder of the Canadian tourist at Beacon Hill

Three suspects arrested in the murder of the Canadian tourist at Beacon Hill

SINT MAARTEN (BEACON HILL) - The Police Department of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is proud to announce that detectives investigating the ongoing armed robbery case involving a Canadian male tourist and his daughter that took place on June 5th 2019 just after 11.00 p.m. on Beacon Hill road have arrested three suspects involved in this case, the police announced in a press conference on Friday.

During this robbery the victim identified as Sylvain Valade in his efforts to protect his daughter from any harm was shot and unfortunately died later of the wounds he sustained at a hospital in the United States.

The daughter of the victim was not physically injured but was emotionally traumatized by the incident. Directly after committing this heinous act the robbers fled the scene in small white vehicle towards the French Side of the island and have been in hiding.

This incident shocked the entire community of Sint Maarten including visitors to the island and was covered by international media.

The team of the KPSM Special Unit Robbery (SUR) immediately initiated an investigation and gave this case highest priority in order to locate and apprehend the culprits responsible for this terrible act and bring them to justice.

The SUR-team worked tirelessly with persistence and in close cooperation during many long hours with the local Prosecution Service and the French Gendarmes to solve this case which started just over two months ago.

Even though Sint Maarten is a very small island separated into two different countries with open borders the judicial process which then becomes a challenge has to be respected and followed.

This judicial process however did not discourage the SUR-team or the other judicial entities assisting in this investigation. Today we are very happy to say that the three suspects are behind bars and that they are cooperating with the investigation.

The suspects at this time will remain in custody for questioning and further investigation. The community of Sint Maarten and visitors to the island should feel safer that these culprits are off the streets.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has put all resources into this investigation and will do everything necessary and in its power to bring closure to this case for the family and friends of the Sylvain Valade. (Sint Maarten Police Force)

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