Akemo Simmonds By. The VIRGIN ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX -- A man who attempted to rob Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center on Tuesday is in police custody, while a second suspect — who fired gunshots at an officer — is at large, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima has announced.
According to police, on Tuesday at 9:09 pm., the 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of an attempted robbery at the KFC restaurant in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center.
An officer patrolling in the area observed two suspicious males dressed in black. The officer, aware of the robbery attempt, made contact with the two black males in the vicinity of Estate Strawberry, identified himself and directed the individuals to stop where they were.
Mr. Derima said one of the suspects, later identified as Akemoi Simmonds, age 18 of Estate Rattan, complied with the directions. The second suspect, in possession of a firearm, discharged multiple rounds at the officer while running away from the officer. The officer evaded the gunshots and the second suspect escaped.
Simmonds was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and subsequently arrested. His bail was set at $25, 000. Simmonds was unable to post bail, and he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advice of Rights hearing.
This case is presently under investigation. If you have information on this matter, call 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1(800) 222-8477.
