An Aruba robbery sentence has sent a 20-year-old man to prison for five years after a judge found four property offences involving threats or force legally proven.
Court finds four offences proven
Diario identified the defendant by the initials H.L.B. and reported that he admitted the conduct. The prosecution described two robberies and two incidents in which victims were forced to surrender belongings.
The cases occurred on March 2, March 19, April 3 and April 9, 2026. The reported property included a mobile phone, bags and jewellery. In two incidents, victims were threatened with a knife at the throat; in another, a woman was pushed to the floor as her bag was taken.
Judge confirms prosecutor’s requested term
The prosecutor sought five years in prison, with credit for time already spent in KIA detention. The judge imposed that term, saying the offences caused insecurity for both the victims and the wider San Nicolas community.
The court also approved a victim’s damages claim of 805.43 Aruban florins and imposed a payment measure, according to the report.
Defendant apologizes in court
The defendant apologized to the victims and the Aruban community. He told the court that drug use followed personal difficulties and said he wanted to change his life. The judge questioned how he planned to do so while also emphasizing the harm caused by the offences.
Defence lawyer Sjiem Fat challenged aspects of how the charges were framed and questioned police communications about the investigation. The court nevertheless found all four counts proven.
Source: read the original report from Diario.
