Murderer of Chinese shop owner finally caught after 11 years

PHILIPSBURG – Quincley Emanuel Poppen, who has been on the run since 2013, was arrested on Sint Maarten. For twelve years, the now 29-year-old Curaçaoan managed to evade justice, but he was recently spotted in Dominica, where he was living under a false identity.

Quincley was deported by the authorities there to Sint Maarten, where he was arrested this morning. He will soon be transferred to Curaçao to serve his prison sentence.

On May 9, 2013, the day after the murder of Helmin Wiels, Quincley and his accomplice robbed the Chinese Hua mini market Jiant on Caracasbaaiweg. The then 42-year-old owner, Yinghua Wu, was shot dead in front of his wife. The loot consisted of some small change and a few phone cards.

Forensic investigators conduct a murder investigation on Yinghua Wu on May 9, 2013

Quincley was identified by witnesses in CCTV footage that was widely reported in the news and on social media. Before he could be arrested, Quincley fled hastily to Sint Maarten. He had one more telephone contact with his family from Saint Kitts and Nevis, but then disappeared without a trace.

The Dutch TV program “Opponent Requested” featured the robbery, and Quincley was placed on the National Wanted List. However, alarms in Curaçao, the Netherlands and St. Kitts & Nevis did not lead to his capture.

In 2018, the Court of First Instance of Curaçao issued a judgment Quincley in absentia to eighteen years in prison for qualified manslaughter, theft with violence resulting in death, and possession of firearms. His accomplice got fifteen years. Now, Quincley will also have to deal with justice.