Break-in at Grand Case Airport
During the night of Wednesday 4 to Thursday 5 November, Grand Case Airport was the target of a break-in involving extensive damage. Offices were broken into, windows smashed, premises ransacked and vehicles damaged: the damage is extensive. An investigation has been launched by the gendarmerie.
The perpetrators are believed to have gained entry to the terminal by forcing open a door, before ransacking several offices inside the building. Locks were broken, windows smashed, and drawers and cupboards ransacked: the premises were systematically searched. The Border Police (PAF) offices were among the areas affected, as were several of the airport’s storage areas. The damage was not confined to the interior of the terminal. Car hire agencies based on the site were also targeted. Windows were smashed and several cars parked in the car park were damaged. There are also reports of attempted vehicle thefts, though these have not yet been confirmed.
Flights continued despite the disruption
On Thursday morning, the police secured the scene to carry out initial investigations. Airport staff were not immediately allowed access to the affected area whilst investigators carried out their work. Despite this situation and the resulting disruption, airport operations were able to continue. Scheduled flights went ahead, albeit with delays. An investigation has been launched by the Saint-Martin gendarmerie to determine the circumstances of this intrusion and identify those responsible. At this stage, no precise details have been released regarding any thefts or the extent of the damage.
