The VIPD has not provided the mugshot of Livingston Hughes. Seen above, St. Thomas Social.
ST. THOMAS — A man who was reportedly captured on surveillance video removing two point of sale systems from a popular establishment in St. Thomas was arrested and charged with burglary and grand larceny.
One of the owners of St. Thomas Social told police that he arrived at the establishment around noon on August 15 to open back up after closing last Monday ahead of tropical storm Ernesto. On Thursday afternoon, he said he noticed that two point of sale systems were missing fro their usual spots. He initially assumed that an employee had relocated them to a more secure location ahead of the storm, but his general manager said that nobody had touched them. Upon review of the surveillance video system, management realized that someone had entered the establishment while it was closed, and had taken the two point of sale machines away.
The video showed the man entering the property around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12 and removing the point of sale systems. One of the St. Thomas Social co-owners posted screenshots of the surveillance footage, asking the community for assistance in identifying the intruder.
The man was identified as Livingston Hughes, who last Friday was escorted back to the scene of the crime, where he reportedly apologized for the theft and said that he was trying to raise money to assist the homeless. Police say Hughes attempted to return the now badly damaged point of sale machines, but fled when management disclosed their intention to call the police.
Officers tracked down Hughes to Emerald Beach Resort on Saturday, where they found him sitting on a beach chair near the water’s edge. Police said he had to be threatened with a taser before he would consent to being placed in handcuffs, but noted that he was ultimately detained without incident.
Hughes was arrested and charged with grand larceny, third-degree burglary, possession of stolen property, and unlawful entry. Bail was initially set at $71,000 and he was remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing.
In court on Monday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold all charges against Mr. Hughes, but modified his bail requirements to allow him to post $1000 in cash with the remainder as an unsecured bond.
If released from detention, Hughes will be required to report to the probation office twice a week in person. He will also be prohibited from using alcohol or a controlled substance while the case is pending, and banned from the premises of St. Thomas Social.
His next court appearance is scheduled for September 6.
