A St. Croix man was arrested on theft charges for allegedly stealing gasoline from his previous employer, the V.I. Police Department reported Wednesday.
On May 15, the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into a complaint against Jason Phipps for obtaining money by false pretense. The investigation revealed that Phipps unlawfully obtained gasoline under the complainant’s account in the amount of $1,517.66, knowing that he was no longer employed with the company, according to the police. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for Phipps on Aug. 10, the report stated.
Phipps, 47, turned himself into authorities on Wednesday around 9.59 a.m. and he was placed under arrest and advised of his Miranda Rights, which he refused to sign and invoked his Fifth Amendment Rights. Phipps was subsequently booked and charged with obtaining money by false pretenses and grand larceny, the police report stated.
Bail was set at $20,000 for the alleged incident. Unable to post bail, Phipps was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility pending his advice of rights hearing scheduled for Friday at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, the report stated.
