Crime

Home Depot A/C Thefts Lead to Two Arrests, Traffic Stop and Police Pursuit

ST. CROIX — Two men have been charged following separate reports that air-conditioning units were stolen from Home Depot on Monday, with one arrest occurring after police stopped a pickup carrying the merchandise and the other following a vehicle pursuit through several communities. Elroy Tonge was charged with grand larceny and possession of stolen property. Joannes Francois was charged with grand larceny and disobeying the orders of a police officer. Magistrate Yolan Brow Ross found probable cause Tuesday to uphold the charges against both men. Pickup Stopped With Air-Conditioning Units Police were first alerted Monday afternoon after Home Depot employees called 911 to report that two suspects had stolen several air-conditioning units. One report identified an older-model Toyota pickup as the vehicle used to load the merchandise and transport it from the store. Officers later conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description supplied by employees. The driver, Tong...