Armed intruders hold Saint-Martin senator hostage in home invasion
Saint-Martin senator held hostage in home invasion; unharmed, investigation launched.
Event / Security
Saint-Martin Senator Hostage-Taking
Republican Senator Annick Petrus was held hostage at her residence on July 7-8, 2026, during an armed robbery. She was bound and gagged at gunpoint while attackers robbed her home and stole two vehicles before fleeing. She was physically unharmed. An investigation into armed robbery and kidnapping has been opened.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 9 Jul, 10:54 UTC
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What happened
Armed individuals invaded senator's home and held her hostage in Saint-Martin
Multiple masked armed individuals forcibly entered the residence of Senator Annick Petrus in Saint-Martin during the night of July 7-8, 2026. Under threat of firearms, they sequestered, bound, and gagged the senator. During the invasion, they stole various belongings and two vehicles from her home.
High crime levels and firearms proliferation concern authorities in Saint-Martin
Authorities expressed concern about the elevated level of criminality and proliferation of firearms on the island of Saint-Martin, which is divided between a French northern section and Dutch southern section.
Senator Annick Petrus confirmed unharmed after armed home invasion
Senator Annick Petrus, age 65 and former vice-president of the Saint-Martin Collectivity, confirmed on social media that she remained physically unharmed despite being bound during the armed robbery. She stated her health condition was reassuring and pledged to continue her commitment to serve Saint-Martin.
Investigation opened for armed robbery and kidnapping in Saint-Martin
The prosecutor's office in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe opened an investigation into the armed robbery and sequestration of Senator Petrus. The investigation was assigned to the gendarmerie's research section in Saint-Martin. Enhanced security measures for the senator's residence were to be implemented in the following days.
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