Mugshot of Deshante Dennery. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS – A man who was reportedly part of a shoplifting trio is now facing felony theft charges after police found him nearby with the stolen goods.
According to court documents, on Saturday morning, police were dispatched to a supermarket in Tutu Park Mall to investigate a reported larceny. Upon arriving in the parking lot, officers spotted a man standing next to a red Mini Cooper. Next to him was a shopping cart of groceries, bottles of alcohol, and other merchandise. Police also noticed a generator on the ground. When asked if he has a receipt for the items, the man, later identified as Deshante Dennery, reportedly told police that the proof of purchase was with “his pardna them.”
Officers then spoke to the supermarket manager and security guard, who both positively identified Dennery as the person seen on security camera footage bypassing the checkout counters and leaving the supermarket with a cart full of unpaid items.
Police looked at the footage themselves and identified Dennery, another man, and a woman who were seemingly operating together. Dennery and the woman each had a shopping cart, and both were seen in the surveillance footage leaving the store without paying for their items. Dennery was also seen loading the items into the red Mini Cooper.
After conducting an inventory of the allegedly stolen items, the total value was determined to be over $1000. Dennery was thus arrested and charged with grand larceny and possession of stolen property, as well as aiding and abetting on both counts. He was booked and processed in advance of his advice of rights hearing scheduled for September 25.
In court on Monday, Magistrate Paula Norkaitis found probable cause to uphold all charges against Dennery, and set bail at $15,000 with a 10 percent cash provision. If he is able to secure his release ahead of trial, he will be restricted to the district, with a requirement to check in with the probation office every week by telephone. He will also be required to abide by a 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily curfew, and is banned from the supermarket’s premises.
The next court hearing for Deshante Dennery is scheduled for October 13.
