ST. THOMAS — A 21-year-old man died and another was arrested early Sunday after a stolen Toyota Corolla linked to an armed robbery crashed during a police pursuit on St. Thomas, while a third man allegedly pointed a long gun at pursuing officers before fleeing on foot, according to the V.I. Police Department.
According to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte, the events began with an armed robbery reported Friday, September 25, at Splash and Dash Car Wash on St. Thomas. Police said a man and his friends were washing their vehicles when two masked men dressed in black approached, ordered them to the ground, entered a tan Toyota Corolla belonging to one of the victims and drove away.
As part of Operation Safe Communities, officers subsequently conducted surveillance and canvassing from Frenchtown to Crown Bay in response to multiple reported robberies. VIPD's Intelligence Unit was assisting with efforts to identify and locate the stolen Corolla and other vehicles of interest associated with investigations in the targeted area.
On Sunday, September 27, officers with VIPD's Special Response Team, assisted by officers of the V.I. Waste Management Authority, located what police described as the suspected stolen Corolla in the Crown Bay area. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Terrence A. Todman Drive, where police said the driver initially stopped before speeding away.
The pursuit continued onto George Francis Drive, where the driver lost control of the Corolla, causing it to spin and collide with a police cruiser in the vicinity of Vitraco Park Mall. There were three occupants inside the Corolla, according to VIPD.
Police said the first male exited from the passenger side as the vehicle spun out, pointed a long gun at the pursuing officers and fled on foot while still carrying the weapon. VIPD's release does not identify that individual or indicate whether he was subsequently apprehended. A second occupant, identified as 21-year-old Danllerli Cabrera, also attempted to flee but was apprehended, police said. A firearm fell from Cabrera's person during his attempted escape, and VIPD records his arrest time as approximately 5:50 a.m. Sunday.
The third occupant suffered serious injuries in the collision and later died. Police identified him, following notification of his family, as 21-year-old Adonai Cozier. VIPD's release does not identify Cozier as the driver, accuse him of possessing a firearm or state that he was involved in the earlier armed robbery. Officers recovered four firearms in connection with the incident — three Glock handguns and an AR-15-style long gun. VIPD said one of the handguns had been modified to enable fully automatic fire.
Cabrera was treated for injuries sustained in the collision and, following his discharge, transported to Central Command, where police said he was advised of his rights, booked and processed on firearm and ammunition charges. Bail was set at $100,000, and after he was unable to post it, Cabrera was turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending an Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for Monday, September 28.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 340-774-2211. Information may also be provided by calling 911, Crime Stoppers VI at 800-222-TIPS, the commissioner's office at 340-715-5506, or the chief's office at 340-715-5548.
