Sint Maarten’s police are sounding the alarm over what they say is an organised and deeply entrenched network behind a surge in jewellery store robberies, warning that the crimes will continue unless those operating in the shadows are exposed.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) said the island has seen a “troubling and persistent pattern of jewellery store robberies and break-ins” over the past year, with Philipsburg most affected and additional incidents reported in Maho and Oyster Pond.

“These crimes not only endanger business owners and employees, but they also harm the safety, reputation, and economic stability of Sint Maarten,” police said.

KPSM said it has carried out intensive investigations, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated law enforcement efforts, leading to the arrest of several suspects directly involved in the robberies. 

However, despite those arrests, the criminal activity has continued.

According to police, the repeated nature of the crimes shows they are neither isolated nor spontaneous. 

“This repeated pattern strongly indicates that these crimes are not isolated or random. They are organised, planned, and coordinated by one or more individuals operating behind the scenes,” the force stated.

Police believe these individuals recruit perpetrators, provide instructions and financing, while avoiding direct exposure. 

KPSM stressed that the illegal trade relies on those who buy and move stolen jewellery.

“If there is no buyer or organiser, there will be no robber. If there is no fencer, there will be no stealer,” the statement said.

The police force said someone within the community likely has information that could help dismantle the networks, whether through noticing suspicious behaviour, conversations, or sudden unexplained wealth.

“Crime survives because of silence. Organised theft continues because individuals are being protected by those who refuse to speak,” KPSM warned.

Police also appealed directly to families and associates of those involved in criminal activity, urging them to take responsibility rather than shielding wrongdoing.

“Turning a blind eye is not loyalty; it is complicity,” the force said, adding that protecting offenders enables crime and harms innocent people.

Describing Sint Maarten as a close-knit society, KPSM said the impact of the robberies goes beyond individual businesses, affecting workers’ safety and damaging the island’s image. 

The force urged residents to choose “courage over fear, responsibility over protection, and community over criminality.”

KPSM said anyone with information should contact their nearest police station and disclose what they know.