WILLEMSTAD – The Court of First Instance has sentenced three men for their roles in the armed robbery of Aqua Casino on March 23, 2025, imposing prison terms of up to six years for what the judge described as one of the largest and most brazen robberies in recent years.
The robbery involved the theft of approximately NAf 400,000 in cash. Aqua Casino had been open for only three months when it was targeted.
Sophisticated Security System Helped Solve the Case
According to the court, the casino's modern surveillance system played a crucial role in identifying the suspects. High-quality security cameras captured clear images and audio of the robbers during the crime, enabling investigators to quickly determine the roles of those involved.
Two brothers from the Dominican Republic were identified as the armed men seen entering the casino with firearms. The surveillance footage was also presented as evidence during the trial.
A third suspect believed to have been involved in the robbery fled to the Dominican Republic shortly afterward and has not yet been prosecuted.
The third convicted defendant, a Haitian national, acted as an accomplice, the court found. He served as a lookout near the casino and monitored police activity in the area for approximately one hour before the robbery. Investigators also determined that he purchased and supplied the getaway vehicle several days before the crime.
The court concluded that the robbers appeared to know that a large amount of cash would be counted during the morning hours, as they entered through the employee entrance at precisely that time.
Evidence Presented in Court
Although the stolen money has never been recovered, the court file indicates that part of the proceeds was spent on items, including vehicles. The judge ordered the confiscation of those vehicles as well as several sums of money linked to the case.
Throughout the proceedings, the defendants denied any involvement.
The convictions were based on multiple pieces of evidence. Police officers who were already familiar with the suspects identified their voices on the casino's surveillance recordings. The court ruled that those voice identifications were reliable because they were supported by additional objective evidence.
Investigators also linked distinctive clothing and shoes worn by one of the robbers to one of the suspects through photographs recovered from his girlfriend's mobile phone.
DNA belonging to one of the suspects was found on cable ties recovered at the casino. Surveillance footage also showed one of the Dominican brothers purchasing the two-way radios used during the robbery at Señor Barata. In addition, firearms similar to those used during the crime were later seized during a search of his home.
Defense attorneys argued that the voice identifications should not have been admitted as evidence. However, the court rejected that argument, concluding that the identifications were corroborated by numerous other observations and forensic evidence.
Victims Left Traumatized
In its ruling, the court emphasized the severe impact the robbery had on the victims.
Employees were threatened at gunpoint and forced to lie on the floor during the robbery. Based on victim statements provided to police and information submitted in a compensation claim, the judge concluded that the incident had caused significant psychological trauma.
One victim sustained facial injuries after a door was forcefully pushed into her face during the robbery. The court also noted that the casino owner suffered substantial financial losses and business disruption.
According to the judge, the perpetrators acted solely out of financial gain without regard for the consequences their actions would have for the victims.
The court further observed that violent robberies of this nature contribute to feelings of fear and insecurity in Curaçao, a small community already struggling with firearm-related crime and violent offenses.
Prison Sentences
The two Dominican brothers were sentenced to prison terms of five and six years, respectively.
The Haitian defendant was sentenced to 40 months in prison after the court determined that he acted as an accomplice rather than the mastermind behind the robbery, contrary to the prosecution's argument.
Prosecutors had requested seven-year prison sentences for all three defendants.
Both the convicted men and the Public Prosecution Service have 14 days to appeal the ruling.