The V.I. Police Department's Economic Crimes Unit has announced the arrests of two women in separate cases of financial fraud.

In the first case, 24-year-old Shaira Rivera of St. Croix was arrested on November 15 following an investigation into unauthorized transactions on a Bank of America Visa debit card. The investigation, launched on July 15, 2024, revealed that Rivera used the card to make payments on a friend's Viya account and attempted unauthorized purchases on Amazon, according to the VIPD.

Rivera is said to have voluntarily surrendered at the QE IV Ferry terminal, where she was served with an arrest warrant, advised of her rights, and arrested without incident. She faces charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, petit larceny, and access to computers for fraudulent purposes. Bail was set at $20,000, and Rivera, unable to post bail, was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility. Her Advice of Rights hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2024.

In a separate case, 36-year-old D’nique Brielle Heyliger of St. Thomas was arrested on November 17, 2024, for allegedly using a victim’s Mastercard bank card to make unauthorized purchases totaling more than $6,000. The charges stem from transactions made between March and August 2022 at Frenchtown Deli and online retailers Amazon and Etsy.

The investigation began on February 28, 2023, and an arrest warrant was issued on October 2, 2024. Heyliger turned herself in at the Economic Crimes Unit, where she was arrested and processed. She has been charged with fraudulent use of a credit card and grand larceny. Like Rivera, her bail was also set at $20,000, and she remains in custody at the Bureau of Corrections, awaiting her Advice of Rights hearing.

 Authorities encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to prevent further incidents.