Man Wanted In Territory On Murder And Other Charges Arrested In North Carolina

ST. THOMAS — A man wanted in connection with the October 19, 2014 murder of Shacoi E. Benjamin, which occurred near the Blitz Night Club located in Norre Gade, St. Thomas, was arrested in North Carolina by the Kings Mountain Sheriff’s Warrant Squad, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced this afternoon.

The suspect, 21-year-old Cymari Fredericks, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aiding and abetting, reckless endangerment, first-degree assault, unauthorized use of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and brandishing, exhibiting or using a deadly weapon.

According to police, a warrant was issued on August 31, 2016 by a St. Thomas Superior Court Judge for Mr. Fredericks, who was residing in North Carolina in a rental property. The landlord found out Mr. Fredericks was wanted for murder and proceeded to report him to the police department in the area. Police then ran Mr. Fredericks’s name through the National Crime Information Center (N.C.I.C), and confirmed that he was indeed wanted on multiple charges in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mr. Fredericks is being held without bail, and was remanded to the Gaston County Jail in North Carolina. He will be extradited to the territory to face charges.

The V.I.P.D. says it will continue using the N.C.I.C. system to bring criminals at home and abroad to justice. The force also stressed the important role the community plays in arresting perpetrators of crime.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau (C.I.B) and the Homicide Task Force are actively investigating all territory-related cases, according to the release. They are asking for the community’s support in bringing criminals to justice by making available information to the St. Thomas PD at (340)774-2211 or C.I.B. at (340)714-9807.

Or, if you believe that your tip may lead to an arrest and would like a monetary reward (tipsters have been paid up to $5,000), then share your tip with Crime Stoppers USVI, where your information remains anonymous. The service is so clandestine that if your tip nets an arrest, Crime Stoppers USVI will even drop the money off to a location of your choosing — without you ever having to reveal your identity.