WILLEMSTAD – The Public Prosecution Service has demanded seven-year prison sentences for three men accused of carrying out the armed robbery of Aqua Casino in Otrobanda, a heist that netted more than NAf 400,000 and which prosecutors describe as an inside job.
The robbery took place in March of last year and, according to the prosecution, was carefully planned with the help of insider information obtained from a casino employee.
During court proceedings, prosecutors alleged that a Haitian businessman was the mastermind behind the operation. According to the Public Prosecution Service, he received crucial information about the casino's security arrangements and the location of the safe from an employee who also worked for him.
Investigators say the businessman played a central role in organizing the robbery. Prosecutors allege that he arranged the getaway vehicle, acted as a lookout during the operation, and directed two Dominican brothers who carried out the armed robbery inside the casino.
According to the prosecution, the suspects appeared to know exactly how to enter the building and where the money was stored, reinforcing the theory that the robbery was planned with insider assistance.
One of the key pieces of evidence presented by prosecutors involves telephone records. Investigators found that the suspects communicated with each other daily during the month leading up to the robbery, including through video calls. However, according to the prosecution, all contact abruptly ceased immediately after the robbery was committed.
The case is also supported by recorded prison conversations obtained by police. Prosecutors told the court that intercepted conversations reveal details about the suspects' respective roles in planning and executing the robbery.
The prosecution further argued that the suspects quickly divided the stolen money, which soon led to disputes among them.
According to evidence presented in court, one of the Dominican brothers allegedly purchased four vehicles shortly after receiving his share of the proceeds. Prosecutors said the spending sparked conflict with his brother, who allegedly threatened to kill him for attracting attention by spending too much money too quickly.
Meanwhile, the alleged mastermind reportedly spent a large portion of his share in a very different manner. According to the prosecution, he lost nearly NAf 200,000 gambling at another casino within a short period after the robbery.
In addition to the requested seven-year prison sentences, prosecutors are seeking the confiscation of all vehicles allegedly purchased with proceeds from the robbery.
The court is expected to issue its verdict in the coming weeks. As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and convicted by the court.