WILLEMSTAD - On May 15, 2019, the criminal case against the suspects R.B. (21 years), J.X.F.J. (27 years), F.W.B (37 years) and C.D.P. (37 years old) was treated. On 11 January 2019, they tried to plunder an ATM machine, which was prevented by the bank in cooperation with the police.
During the escape, the oldest two suspects crashed into the police car. The police were shooting at those two suspects. Both suspects are recovering from those gunshot wounds. All four confessed their share in this criminal offense. They lost their regular job due to being in prison.
The prosecutor asked for high penalties because Curacao is plagued by this kind of criminal acts. There were four in 2018, and now six in 2019. This one in particular was extra dangerous because people were sleeping in the apartments above the ATM. Not only the attempt to steal was charged, but also the cause of an explosion with danger to goods and people. The judge followed in a strict judgment to make it clear to other potential suspects not to choose this path (general prevention).
The oldest suspects were sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment, of which 6 months were suspended with a probationary period of three years. The two youngest suspects (employees of the other two) were sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment, 15 months of which were conditional with a probationary period of 3 years. Three of the four suspects will be supervised by the probation service.
There is a high penalty for committing a crime like this. If you manage to take money, but you are arrested by the police and the Public Prosecution Service, the penalty will be at least one third higher.