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ST. JOHN — Tourists at the Westin Resort in St. John were robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday night, an incident that has sparked fears on the small island about a recent wave of armed robberies that are becoming more brazen.
According to the VIPD, at about 9:44 p.m., as passengers were being dropped off from one vehicle, another vehicle unexpectedly obstructed the roadway.
Subsequently, three males armed with guns disembarked from the vehicle, demanding valuables from both the operator and the passengers. After completing their illicit act, the perpetrators fled the scene in an unidentified direction.
In response to the incident and the recent string of similar crimes, St. Thomas/St. John Chief Steven Phillip addressed the matter with urgency and reassurance.
"There's an operational plan in place to eradicate these rash of robberies that's been taking place. We've expanded our patrols and will have more visibility," Chief Phillip affirmed. He continued with a decisive message to the community: "We will not allow these individuals to have our community live in fear; the VIPD is committed to taking these opportunities away from these criminals."
The case is currently in the hands of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, who are spearheading the investigation. The VIPD is actively seeking any information that could assist in this matter. If anyone has details or knowledge about the crime, they are encouraged to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-693-8880 ext. 5207, or Crime Stoppers V.I. online here.
Last week Friday, an armed robbery incident occurred at a Coral Bay restaurant in St. John, according to the V.I. Police Department. The incident reportedly took place at 1 a.m. when two patrons were inside the establishment.
Three male assailants, each armed with guns, entered the restaurant and demanded money. After the patrons handed over their cash, the armed men promptly left the scene, heading in an undetermined direction.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
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