WILLEMSTAD - The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Military Police) in Curaçao yesterday arrested a 23-year-old militiaman of the Curaçao Militia on suspicion of theft. The man was employed as a soldier in support of the Coast Guard in Curaçao and is believed to have stolen various seized goods, such as outboard motors from vessels.

In addition to the arrested suspect, an investigation is also being conducted into another soldier who may be an accessory to the thefts committed.

During the investigation, a 30-year-old man also came into the picture for selling the stolen goods. The resident of Curaçao offered the stolen goods for sale via internet. He was also arrested yesterday by staff of the Military Police.

The Military Police team of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is further investigating the thefts and sales. This investigation is led by the Public Prosecution Service in Curaçao. Multiple arrests are not excluded.

Police forces

In addition to the police service for the military, the brigade also conducts police services on various military complexes such as Navy base Parera, Navy barracks Suffisant and the military part of the airport HATO in Curaçao.

The investigative activities take place under the authority of the Public Prosecution Service of Curaçao. In addition to (military) police tasks, officers from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee work closely with the Curacao Police Force.

For example, investigators work for the Organized Crime Division of the police, which announced yesterday that it had wound up a Venezuelan gang suspected of murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee also has information officers in support of the police and collaborates with the Coast Guard in various processes.