A shooting on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Glitter's jewelry store left two individuals critically injured, including a security guard and a female patron, the latter who later died of injuries. Photo Credit: EMMET PREVOST
ST. THOMAS — The V.I. Police Department on Tuesday arrested the fourth individual allegedly involved in the Dec. 4 Glitter's jewelry store robbery and shooting.
According to the police department, on Tuesday at approximately 3:15 p.m. Junior Marcelo Garcia, age 18, was arrested by the Major Crimes Unit after a hearing was had in the Family Court of the Virgin Islands.
Garcia is among four individuals charged in connection with the robbery and shooting. The incident, which took place at around 11:00 a.m. Dec. 4 left two individuals critically wounded. One of the victims, 56-year-old Gregorianna Julien eventually succumbed to her injuries weeks later.
Mugshot of Junior Marcelo Garcia. (Credit: The Virgin Islands Police Department)
The 9-page probable cause fact sheet reveals that police reviewed surveillance footage of a black Honda Odyssey entering the shopping center and coming to a stop near the jewelry store, angled towards the exit. Three masked men were then seen exiting the vehicle, two with guns in hand. The first suspect, later identified as Micaiah Cozier carried a handgun, while another suspect identified as Jahmar Lewis carried a long gun. A third, today identified as Garcia, was shown carrying a bag, while Akenda Weeks was later determined to be the driver who remained in the vehicle.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the three males were seen quickly running into the jewelry store and pulling the now deceased Julien back inside against her will. Julien, who was reportedly shopping at the time was leaving the store when the men entered. The men were seen exiting the store and running back into the van seconds later. Court documents reveal that Lewis turned around to fire back into the store, discharging multiple rounds before the vehicle sped off. As part of investigations, police learned that the suspects took jewelry valued at over $18,000 during the robbery.
Garcia was brought before the courts for a bail hearing Wednesday, appearing before judge Paula Norkaitis.
At his advisement hearing, bail was set at $500,000 unsecured. Garcia will be released into the care of an immediate family member who will serve as his third-party custodian. Upon his release, the defendant will be subject to 24/7 house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor. Garcia is strictly prohibited from having any direct or indirect contact with any of his co-defendants or any potential witnesses.
Investigations into the shocking crime determined that the four individuals had been planning the robbery for about a month. It was discovered that Garcia and Weeks stole the minivan in November to use in the commission of the deadly crime. Police also learned that Weeks had been to the store multiple times in the month leading up to the robbery and had placed jewelry on layaway. According to the fact sheet, Garcia later admitted to carrying the bag used to collect the stolen loot which the four later split among themselves, selling some on the street.
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