The Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating a robbery and a series of burglaries reported in multiple areas of St. Thomas from early Saturday through Tuesday.
At about 2:36 a.m. Sunday, officers made contact with a male victim who reported he was robbed at gunpoint in the area of Mandela Circle. The victim told police he had just left a nightclub and was walking to his vehicle when three armed, masked males exited a vehicle and demanded his belongings. The suspects, described as wearing all black clothing, removed several pieces of jewelry before fleeing the area in an unknown direction, VIPD reported.
Police are also investigating four separate burglaries reported on St. Thomas, according to the police report.
On Saturday, at about 3:42 a.m., officers responded to a burglary at the Rum Hut in the Havensight area. Security personnel reported seeing several unknown individuals running from the bar and fleeing in a white SUV. Officers later discovered the door to the establishment had been damaged and left ajar, the police report stated.
On Tuesday, Feb at about 3:20 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call from the owner of Goldland Jewelry Store on Main Street reporting a break-in. Police said two unidentified males forcefully gained entry through the front entrance. Video footage showed the suspects removing numerous items from the store before exiting when the alarm activated. One suspect was armed with a hammer and the other with a drill, the report stated.
About an hour later, on Tuesday at approximately 4:23 a.m., police received a report of a burglary at Duffy’s Love Shack. The restaurant manager said he was notified by the alarm company and observed two individuals on surveillance cameras entering the business and accessing the cash register. The suspects were believed to have left the area in a dark-colored SUV, the report stated.
At about 4:32 a.m. Tuesday morning, police received another call reporting a break-in at the One Communication store at Tutu Park Mall. The investigation revealed that a black SUV reversed multiple times into stationary poles at the mall’s main entrance. Police said four to five unidentified males exited the vehicle, entered the store unlawfully and removed several iPhones. Investigators believe the driver may have been a female. The vehicle’s rear bumper, with no license plate attached, was left behind at the scene, the report stated.
Anyone with information related to the robbery or burglaries is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 or the 911 Emergency Call Center. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers V.I. at 800-222-8477. Police said all information will be kept confidential.
