Suspect in grand larceny incident deboarding an aircraft at th Cyril E. King Airport on Nov. 23, 2022. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A man who admitted to stealing boxes of liquor over several months at Plaza Extra East worth between $60,000 to $80,000 was extradited to St. Croix Wednesday to face grand larceny charges.
According to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte, the department's Criminal Investigation Bureau investigated the grand larceny incident involving 30-year-old Jaheel Smith.
Police were dispatched by the 911 Emergency Call Center to the supermarket at about 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2020.
Upon arrival, contact was made with the manager, who reported that Smith was observed removing several boxes of alcoholic beverages from store shelves. The manager confronted Smith, who then admitted to stealing over a period of several months between $60,000 to $80,000 worth of alcoholic beverages, which he then sold to several local businesses.
Further investigation was conducted into the matter and a warrant was obtained for Smith's arrest, however he had left the territory. Smith was later detained in Georgia by Liberty County Sheriff on Nov. 12, 2022, according to the V.I.P.D.
Smith signed a waiver of extradition and he was transported back to St. Croix on Wednesday.
He was charged with grand larceny and embezzlement by employee, with bail set at $35,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing, scheduled for Nov. 25.
