V.I. Police Department officers on St. John arrested 18-year-old Jah-Wada Jones and 19-year-old Lawrence Powell Jr. and charged them with second degree robbery, third degree assault and grand larceny in connection with the April 12 robbery of a 55-year-old visitor to the island.
The victim, a visitor from Tennessee, was discovered at about 1 a.m. early Sunday morning, April 12, on the first night of his vacation by a police officer on routine patrol in the Cruz Bay area.
The officer administered first aid to the bleeding victim and called Emergency Medical Technicians.
The victim told police he got off the ferry in Cruz Bay from Red Hook and began walking to find a taxi. He was approached by at least two unknown males who robbed and assaulted him in the area of Joe’s Diner.
Witnesses told police that the suspects were joined by several other males who also participated in the robbery and assault.
The victim was robbed of cash and personal documents. He received a laceration to his head, injuries to his eye and abrasions about his body.
Jones, also known as “Smooth” was arrested on Wednesday, May 6, at about 3 p.m. He was born on St. Thomas and lives in the Glucksberg area.
Powell, also known as “Ups” was also arrested on May 6 at about 4:30 p.m. He was born on St. John and lives in Estate Grunwald.
Both suspects’ bail was set at $100,000. They were remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
