Mugshot of Yago Luiz Martins. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS – After being caught on surveillance camera footage allegedly stealing a credit card from a local bar, a Brazilian man is now facing felony charges before the V.I. Superior Court.
According to court documents, on Monday afternoon police were summoned to the bar of a boutique hotel on Frenchman's Reef following a report of credit card fraud. Investigating officers met a guest from a nearby property who said that he had been at the bar with his wife that day. When it came time to pay the bill, he told officers that he placed his credit card down on top of the bill and left to use the bathroom.
After returning, he approached the bartender to retrieve his card but realized it was gone. As they began searching for the missing card, he received a text message containing a verification code for a $1582.53 Amazon transaction.
The bartender told police that as the man was leaving for the restroom, a second man wearing black sunglasses and black shorts had approached the bar to order a beer. When the first guest reported his card missing, she went upstairs to review the camera footage and told police the surveillance video showed the man in the sunglasses taking the credit card from the bar.
The man, identified as Yago Luiz Martins, told police that he did take the card from the bar, but threw it away into the bushes as he walked away. Martins was arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny, credit card theft, and disturbance of the peace. The Brazilian national was then remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing.
In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Paula Norkaitis found probable cause to uphold the larceny and credit card theft charges, but not disturbance of the peace by fighting. Bail was set at $20,000, which Martins must pay in full to secure his release from pre-trial detention.
Judge Norkaitis also ordered that he surrender any travel documents prior to his release, as well as provide a working telephone number to the court. Following his release, Martins will be required to report to the probation office in person twice per week, and remain in the district unless he obtains the court's written permission.
His next court appearance is scheduled for January 12, 2024.
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