Crime

Two Arrested in VIPD's "Operation Top Shottas" for Shooting and Assault on St. Croix

ST. CROIX — In a significant law enforcement operation named "Operation Top Shottas," the V.I. Police Department announced Wednesday that it successfully apprehended two individuals, Jose A. Quinones and Randy H. Morales, for their involvement in a series of violent incidents in St. Croix. According to the release, the initial incident occurred on October 8, 2023, when the 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of shots being fired at Midland Road near Marvelous Auto Body. Responding officers were informed by victims that shots had been fired at them from a moving vehicle, which resulted in the disabling of their vehicle. Further investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau identified Morales and Mr. Quinones as the assailants. On October 18, 2023, a related incident unfolded when Quinones was spotted driving a vehicle in the Estate Profit area. Upon attempting to approach the vehicle, the VIPD’s Special Operations Unit was met with gunfire from the occupants, who then fled...