STT Man Arrested Driving Stolen Vehicle, Police Say

An 18-year-old St. Thomas resident was arrested Friday after police recognized him from a security video they said showed him driving a stolen vehicle used in an armed robbery.

According to the V.I. Police Department report, at 1 p.m., Friday, police arrested Ja’Haile A. A. Clendinen, 18, of Altona & Welgunst, charging him with unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Police said Clendinen was observed on surveillance video and recognized as the driver of a stolen vehicle from an armed robbery that took place on July 26. Clendinen admitted to operating the stolen vehicle, according to the police report, and was subsequently arrested.

Bail for Clendinen was set at $25,000. Unable to post bail, he was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections, pending his advice of rights hearing.

St. Thomas/St. John District Chief of Police Steven Phillip commended his officers for this and other arrests.

“A word of advice to our young people of this community – crime does not pay. If you engage in criminal activity, you will be caught,” Phillip said.

The chief encouraged the public to continue to submit tips to the VIPD by calling 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS).