Main Suspect Held In Island Beating

A man speaks on a mobile phone in front of an electronic stock indicator in Tokyo Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 1.98 percent to 8,556.60 as a report that Greece is considering preparations to leave the euro common currency sent Asian stock markets lower Wednesday. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) / Shizuo Kambayashi

The main suspect in the attack on two gay American tourists vacationing in St. Maarten that left the victims with serious head injuries has turned himself in to authorities, the chief prosecutor said Tuesday.

The man — a stocky 21-year-old nicknamed "Duracell" — was arrested Monday after turning himself in to the Dutch police. "Duracell" became the fourth person detained for the beatings in St. Maarten, the Caribbean island's Dutch side.

He was accompanied by a lawyer, and immediately denied his alleged role in the beating, chief prosecutor Taco Stein told CBSNews.com.

"Duracell" is accused of striking CBS News employees Dick Jefferson and Ryan Smith with a tire iron, and according to the prosecution, the three other suspects have made statements pitting him as the primary attacker.

"The alleged assailants are turning against each other ... at this point in time I'm wondering what will happen when we confront them with each others' statements," Stein said.

Jefferson said that although he was not present for the entire attack, he is satisfied with the number of suspects in police custody.

The attack occurred in the Dutch portion of the island, which is a popular Caribbean destination for tourists.

But the man and three other suspects, including one woman, had been living in the Caribbean island's French side — meaning they would have to be arrested under French jurisdiction. "Duracell" surrendered on the Dutch side of the island; he and the other suspects are being held there.

"It's taken eight weeks for the two sides of this island nation to cooperate as one law enforcement to handle this case," Jefferson told CBSNews.com. "It shows what cooperation will do."

The prosecutor and other officials decline to identify the suspects, saying Dutch policy is not to give the names of suspects until they go to trial.

The men were assaulted after they left a popular nightspot in St. Maarten with friends. They were airlifted to Miami for treatment to head wounds.