From left to right, Chad Dyer and Esther Taylor. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Chad Dyer and Esther Taylor faced charges including larceny after an alleged string of liquor thefts.
On January 25th, officers responded to a report of a robbery at the Racetrack Gas Station. When they arrived, one of the cashiers told them that a man walked into the store and made a beeline for the shelves where the liquor was stocked. The cashier recognized him, she said, because the man had stolen from them previously.
Despite a shouted warning from the cashier that she knew what he was up to, the man grabbed three bottles of Hennessy and headed for the exit. On his way out, one of the bottles struck the door of the establishment, breaking it.
Police reviewed surveillance footage which showed the man being dropped off by a woman driving a red Toyota RAV-4, entering the store, taking the items and fleeing to the vehicle.
After finishing up at the gas station, the officers traveled to Cost U Less in response to a larceny report. There, they met with a security officer who said that earlier that day he was alerted by one of the cashiers that a man had removed two boxes of Hennessy along with two single bottles from the store and left without paying for the items.
The security officer said that he caught up with the suspect as he walked towards Home Depot and tried to retrieve the stolen goods, but the loose bottles fell to the ground and shattered in the tussle that ensued. The suspect managed to flee, but in his haste left behind his eyeglasses and the two boxes of Hennessy. Upon reviewing the surveillance footage at that store, the man was identified as Chay Dyer, who had reportedly been stealing from the establishment for the past two weeks. A vehicle registration check revealed that the getaway vehicle was registered to Esther Taylor, Dyer’s aunt.
When police made contact with Dyer he admitted to taking the items from Cost U Less on that day and on other occasions, as well as the items from Racetrack Gas Station. He admitted to being assisted by his aunt, Esther Taylor, who agreed to accompany him on the heist. Taylor reportedly told Dyer that she would wait in the Home Depot parking lot because she did not want her vehicle being spotted on camera.
Dyer claimed that he stole the liquor to resell . He told police this was how he made money to feed himself and his younger brothers.
When police met up with Taylor at her residence she declined to give a statement, but turned over two bottles of Hennessy that Dyer left in her vehicle. The two were subsequently placed under arrest. Dyer was charged with grand larceny, first-degree assault, destruction of property and disturbance of the peace. Taylor was charged with grand larceny and aiding and abetting.
In court on Friday, the judge ruled that both individuals be released upon the posting of an unsecured bond of $20,000 each. A mental health evaluation has been ordered for Chad Dyer to evaluate his competence to stand trial and assist in his defense. Both Dyer and Taylor were ordered to seek help from the Department of Human Services.
They are both barred from leaving the St. Thomas- St. John District without the court’s written permission and must report to the Office of Probation twice a week. They must have no contact with any victim or witness in the matter. They are prohibited from entering Cost U Less and the Racetrack Gas Station. They are also prohibited from consuming alcohol or any controlled substance, as well as possessing a firearm, ammunition or a dangerous weapon.
