Mugshot of Iljeah Crabbe. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A woman hired as a temporary caregiver for a man recovering from a stroke has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses following allegations that she robbed and assaulted the man at his Anna’s Retreat residence. The incident has led to a litany of charges including robbery, grand larceny, and criminal abuse of a dependent adult.
According to police, the victim reported the incident on June 19, stating that his substitute caretaker—whom he knew only as “Ty”—visited his home the day prior along with her minor son. Once inside, Ty allegedly confronted the man over money she claimed he owed her for parts purchased to repair a vehicle. The man told police he had purchased the vehicle, but Ty had been using it for the past six months.
When the man told Ty he had no money to pay her, he walked to his bedroom. Ty followed him inside, where she reportedly took a gold chain with a diamond cross pendant and two gold bracelets from his dressing table. The victim told police that when he tried to stop her, she pushed him to the floor and left with the jewelry, which he valued at approximately $5,600.
The victim was able to direct police to Ty’s other place of employment, a shop in Yacht Haven Grande, and positively identified her from a photograph. He also reported pain in his neck and body following the incident.
According to the victim, Ty had been hired only as a backup caregiver. The main caretaker, who had sold the vehicle to the victim, also contacted police. He told officers that he had warned Ty not to spend money on vehicle repairs but advised her to keep receipts after she did so anyway. He also said he told Ty to return the jewelry to avoid legal trouble.
Ty was on the same call and reportedly promised to come to the Criminal Investigation Bureau on June 20 around 5:30 p.m. to return the jewelry. When she failed to appear, police issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) notice on social media. Investigators also discovered a V.I. driver’s license in the name of Iljeah Crabbe, believed to be Ty’s real identity. They later circulated a poster with another possible name, which turned out to belong to Crabbe’s sister.
Crabbe’s sister later approached police to clear her name and confirm that her sister, Iljeah Crabbe, owned the family business at Yacht Haven Grande. She identified her sibling in a photo, leading police to retract the initial BOLO and release an updated one with the correct information.
On June 25, police received a call from an attorney on behalf of Crabbe, saying she would appear at the station on June 27 to give a video statement. She did so as scheduled.
In her statement, Crabbe told police that the victim had given her permission to use the vehicle to fulfill caregiving duties, including food deliveries. She said she identified mechanical issues with the vehicle and, with the victim’s verbal approval, paid for repairs. She claimed the main caretaker advised her to keep receipts. According to Crabbe, she returned the vehicle in October 2024 and was told by the main caretaker that the matter of reimbursement would be discussed directly with the victim.
She said that on June 18, she went to the victim’s home after being advised to speak to him directly. When he told her he had no money, Crabbe said a verbal argument ensued and she left with her son. She denied taking any jewelry or seeing any during her visit, and said she did not return to the residence afterward.
However, police also interviewed Crabbe’s minor son. He told investigators that a few days after the incident, Crabbe took a gold chain with a cross pendant to a jewelry store and discussed the piece with a relative. He also said that they returned to the victim’s home to take pictures of the house and vehicle, and observed the victim wearing two new chains, prompting a comment from his mother. Crabbe later claimed that her son only knew about the jewelry from overhearing a conversation between her and her cousin after seeing a photo displayed by police.
Following the investigation, police arrested and charged Crabbe on June 28 with multiple offenses: grand larceny, second- and third-degree robbery, simple and aggravated assault, third-degree assault, criminal abuse of a dependent adult, causing delinquency of a minor, delaying and obstructing, possession of stolen property, offering false documents into evidence, preparing false evidence, and disturbance of the peace. Bail was initially set at $50,000, and she was remanded to custody to await her advice of rights hearing.
At her court appearance on Monday, Magistrate Paula Norkaitis found probable cause for all charges. The judge modified bail to allow Crabbe to post 10% in cash and ordered her to check in with the probation office weekly by phone. Crabbe is also prohibited from approaching the victim’s residence and must stay at least 50 feet away from him at all times.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 1.
