Mega-looter caught after reporting friend’s murder

PHILIPSBURG – The Court in First Instance sentenced Mandiso Gerardes Marcel Illis yesterday to a 9-month prison sentence for massively looting CostULess, Carrefour and Divico after Hurricane Irma.

Of the sentence, 6 months are suspended; the court imposed 2 years of probation and ordered Illis to do 120 hours of community service.

The looting came to light after Illis reported the death of his friend Silvio Warno on September 14 to the police.

Warno was killed with a bullet to his head.

Police found a garage full of stolen foods at the location. “I cannot prove it, but the murder seems to be linked to an argument about the stolen goods.” the public prosecutor said. “The whole island was in chaos after the hurricane; the police was also affected and not at full strength. There was social anger about the massive looting. Hang them high, was the message on social media. We have to do something with that anger and we have to express that in our demand for punishment. This is one of the larger looting-cases. Professional looting deserves a professional punishment.”

The prosecutor demanded 9 months of imprisonment.

Illis confessed to police after his arrest that he had gone looting after Hurricane Irma hit the island on September 6. “I lost it.” he said.

Attorney Geert Hatzmann acknowledged that his client’s actions had been “unethical and immoral” but he still found arguments against a conviction.

“There was a large crowd at CostULess and the police were there. People were taking goods while the police watched. It seemed like they gave their permission.”

Hatzmann said that the stolen goods were not fit to be sold anymore.

He also noted that his client had helped the police after his friend was found dead in his house.

The prosecutor contested that the police had given permission for the looting. “If you are with two police officers and you are facing a large crowd it does not make sense to arrest someone. It’s better to observe and take action later.”

The judge considered theft and fencing of the stolen goods proven. “This are annoying facts in the chaotic period after Hurricane Irma, but it does not make sense to me to send you to prison for a long time. You have to earn money.”

With that, the judge sentenced Illis to 9 months of imprisonment with 6 months suspended, 2 years of probation and 120 hours of community service.