TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Bomb scare hoax at PJA??

Here is the full scoop. https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/53725-bomb-scare-hoaxes-cause-confusion-among-residents

Why do we have subject lines like this. We are here now - this is not an issue. Is this what this forum wants to talk about?

Unfortunately, it is the world we live in and personally I want to be aware of what is going on and what I may encounter on my upcoming trip wherever that may be. It will not stop me from traveling unless my presence is a hindrance.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

The last threads posted a lot of confusing info on this issue. This was posted by me to help clarify the facts of this instance. Don't like it, don't read it.

It's what this forum SHOULD talk about when it is real. Understanding the facts is important.

If you prefer to talk about unicorns and rainbows then you can do that too.

I posted similar information a few days ago here.

Bear in mind, newspapers sometimes print erroneous information also and just because it is on the internet does not make it fact.

I have no idea in this case but there does appear to be conflicting information.

I am going to change the heading of your post to hopefully better reflect the situation.

This post helped explain the SPECIFIC road closures we got stuck in that day.
Thank you

I noted your link at the time and wondered if there was anything new on it. Sure took a while for the police to admit that they gave out incorrect information.

Many Thanks SXMSCUBAN, maybe this is now the closure of the non-event.

They caught the person responsible.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/54521-man-arrested-for-bomb-threat

There is a lot more to the story then what has been reported. The person arrested is a well known member on SXM groups on Facebook. He is innocent until proven guilty. Lets see how all this plays out in court.

...and we will not engage in speculation here.

SXMScubaman not to drown your boat, but he is a suspect that was arrested and not proven guilty as of yet, as Carol would say. Even the newspaper says that he is a suspect. We need to wait out and see all the evidence and what his defense has to say about the evidence, witnesses and such.

According to a story in today's Daily Herald, which I did not find in the online edition, only the full edition, the judge has extended the suspect's detention for another 8 days. Based on that, I assume they think they have some solid evidence in the case.

Carol, any updates on this story in the full version? I was leaving the island the day this happens, and saw armed soldiers near the airport that day, and was unaware of what was happening until I got home. What a mess.

I am interested in this as well, I was around the airport when this all went down. Police keeping everybody where they were near Maho not letting people leave or walk over to the beach from the main road area. Police all around the road around the airport as well. It was nuts, and then, Air France took off and the police vanished like a fart in the wind.

Cheers,
Todd

There was nothing in the DH as of today, although I hear that possibly there will be something in the DH tomorrow, although I do NOT know what it is. If and when there is something there that is not in the online version, I will post it.

Nothing in the DH today either. Sorry.

According to a story in today's DH, the suspect went before the Judge again yesterday and his detention was extended another 30 days. The story is not online apparently, but that's all it said, other than repeating the original details, that he was arrested as he arrived on island on Christmas Day.

The Today Newspaper says that the suspect has another hearing scheduled for tomorrow. Today story It doesn't really say what the hearing is FOR, but I guess maybe another review of detention?

So far, I don't see the story online, but according to a story in today's Daily Herald, the case has been continued to March 23. The suspect is quoted as saying that he didn't do it and the phone records will show it. The prosecutor stated that there were 9 separate 911 calls made to police from the suspect's phone on that date.

Thanks for the updated info, Carol.

An Update to the story. Prosecutor is asking for 18 month jail sentence and a $10,000 fine. Decision due in 3 weeks.

Sorry, he had previously been convicted of a bomb scare?? Wow..

Is this someone who lives on the island or a visitor to it? Sounds like he's in a whole heap of trouble. Assuming this report is all correct, I wouldn't want to be standing in his shoes about now. How can anyone be such a jerk.....What a stupid thing to do....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

He lives on the island now....in the prison.

All kidding aside, he didn't live on the island before his arrest, but he was a frequent visitor.

Well, at least for the next year or so I guess.....

All I can think of is how could someone be so inconsiderate and truthfully, that stupid when you consider the possible ramifications of doing something like that. I guess it takes all kinds...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Not taking sides here, but the facts are unknown.
And the SXM justice system is not like the US justice system.

Justice is best served when all the facts are presented to a jury of our peers.

Don't know, the verdict has apparently not been rendered yet. BUT IF!! the story is true that the suspect has previously been convicted of a false bomb threat, that really says a lot..

I'm not taking sides either, Joyce, but if the published article is to be believed, there must be enough facts available to draw the conclusions drawn if they've held the man for a few weeks or months and the prosecutor is asking for jail time and a considerable fine. And if it is true, it's a terrible thing to have done anywhere by anyone. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

From the Daily Herald today.

Take it for what it is worth but IF this is all true, it is not pretty.

UPDATE

I'm not sure how you can say the facts are unknown. The case has been presented to the judge, testimony under oath has been given, and previous criminal records have been researched. While I agree that our court system is superior to the Dutch system, this took place on Dutch soil, so their system applies.

People are not always who they seem to be, and sadly, it seems that this man is a prime example of that.

You're right Georgia....sounds like facts have been presented in court and they aren't pretty. SXM operates by their own laws/rules, not ours. This guy had a lot of people fooled and actually still does. Feel sorry for his family.

Just based on what I read from the DH, people in SXM are often found NOT guilty in circumstances where I think they would be found guilty in the US. And the state of the forensic resources that are available there is just not what it is in the US. In the US, those 911 calls would have been taped and they could do a voice ID to determine for sure who made the calls. I have to assume that the convictions in the US are proven to be him, which if so, says an awful lot. Bomb threats AND defrauding a church out of $100,000....

Georgia, I meant to say that the facts are unknown to those who have not been in court or seen the transcripts....we only know what we read in the paper.
Having said that, if it's true that he had prior convictions, the evidence points toward his guilt.

I truly hope justice is served and this man gets what he deserves! Definitely not a good human being and it seems has misled many people over the years. A stiffer sentence would be more appropriate!

I understand, Joyce. Since the same story has been repeated by multiple news sources, I tend to believe that the facts are indeed being reported. I feel sorry for his family.

** Edited** I was just recently forwarded another link to a story regarding "a" Brian with the same last name. I can not confirm that this is the same Brian so I am editing my comment. I am leaving the link in case somebody can add more light to this. I hold to my opinions of him however as stated below.

web page

Regardless, it would seem to me that this man is trouble and troubled, and really needs some extra time past the minimal time he may spend on this charge. My personal opinion is he is a POS, and I feel for his family.

With the record he has I would guess he can run for office soon. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Cheers!

Todd-I kind of doubt this is the same person. Rymer is an EXTREMELY common name on Tortola...