ST. THOMAS — Aisha Somersall, a former V.I. Police Department officer whose body-worn camera reportedly captured her handling a $17,000 gold chain twice before the jewelry went missing, was arrested Wednesday on charges of grand larceny and appropriating lost property. A magistrate found probable cause on both charges and granted her release on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
The charges stem from a September 28, 2024, confrontation involving Lavelle Campbell II outside Jungle Night Club in Frenchtown, during which Mr. Campbell alleges that Ms. Somersall pulled at the gold chain around his neck. The chain was never recovered, although a separate diamond-studded pendant was eventually returned to its owner.
According to an arrest-warrant affidavit prepared by the VIPD's Economic Crime Unit, Mr. Campbell told investigators that he was outside the nightclub at approximately 4 a.m. when Ms. Somersall instructed him to leave the area.
Mr. Campbell said he walked to his rental Jeep Wrangler and started the engine, unaware that the officer had followed him. He alleged that Ms. Somersall opened the driver's door, ordered him to stop and subsequently climbed into the vehicle, striking him in the face with a flashlight as he drove away. During the confrontation, he said, he felt the officer tugging at his gold chain before it was ripped from his neck.
V.I. Consortium's original October 2024 reporting, based on police accounts of the incident, described Mr. Campbell driving away while an officer clung to his Jeep. Police alleged that he drove erratically, struck or nearly struck officers and sideswiped parked vehicles before eventually stopping near the Western Cemetery. The officer acknowledged striking Mr. Campbell with her flashlight while attempting to make him stop.
Mr. Campbell subsequently reported that his missing jewelry included a King's link gold chain weighing approximately 300 grams and a customized pendant depicting an anchor with a Libra scale. He told investigators that he had purchased both pieces from Valentine's Jewel Box for more than $30,000.
Detectives interviewed jeweler Jaitin Chugani, who confirmed the purchases and described the chain as 14-karat gold. According to the investigation, the chain was valued at approximately $17,000, while the diamond-studded pendant was valued at approximately $15,000.
The investigation also examined what happened to the jewelry after Mr. Campbell's rented Jeep was impounded. Tow truck operator Joshua Embrack told investigators that he discovered a gold anchor-shaped pendant on the ground near a marked police vehicle on the night of the incident. He said he placed the pendant inside his company's truck but did not photograph it or notify police about the discovery.
The pendant was eventually returned to Mr. Campbell through the towing company's owner, Mario Petersen. The gold chain, however, was never recovered.
Investigators subsequently reviewed footage from Ms. Somersall's body-worn camera, which reportedly captured her handling the missing chain on two occasions during the same sequence.
According to Detective Herbert, the footage showed Ms. Somersall in the Altona and Welgunst area, near the cemetery, with the chain in her hand. She placed it on Mr. Campbell's white Jeep Wrangler and briefly walked away.
When she returned to the vehicle and placed her flashlight and police-issued radio on its hood, investigators say the footage again showed her handling the chain in her hand before walking away. The affidavit does not establish what happened to the chain afterward.
Mr. Campbell also filed a civil lawsuit in May 2026 against the VIPD, the Virgin Islands government and Ms. Somersall concerning the missing jewelry.
Following the criminal investigation, a Superior Court magistrate issued an arrest warrant on June 11, 2026. It was executed on October 14.
Judge Approves Unsecured Bail, Orders Firearm Restrictions
During Wednesday's advice-of-rights hearing, Magistrate Judge Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold both the grand larceny and appropriating lost property charges against Ms. Somersall.
The court set bail at $10,000 unsecured, allowing Ms. Somersall to remain out of custody without an upfront cash payment. Attorney Clive Rivers was appointed to represent her.
The magistrate also directed Ms. Somersall to return to Fort Lewis in Washington state, where she is to reside in connection with her military employment. She must report to the probation office once weekly by telephone and is prohibited from consuming alcohol or controlled substances while the case remains pending.
The court imposed specific firearm restrictions, ordering Ms. Somersall to surrender her personal firearm to the military installation upon her return. Her attorney must submit proof of that surrender by October 21.
Ms. Somersall may use a military firearm only while performing military duties. Outside those duties, she is prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition or other dangerous weapons.
Previous Recognition by VIPD
Ms. Somersall's arrest follows several years in which she received recognition for her performance in law enforcement.
In September 2021, she received the Highest Academic Award among auxiliary police officers who completed training and took the oath of office during a graduation ceremony in the St. Thomas–St. John District.
V.I. Consortium previously reported on the ceremony, held September 8, 2021, at which 11 law enforcement officers and four auxiliary police officers were sworn in.
Ms. Somersall was subsequently recognized by the VIPD as its Officer of the Month for July 2024. The department's recognition graphic credited her with handling 33 cases, issuing 93 citations, making one arrest involving illegal firearm possession, and recovering two additional firearms and illegal substances.
That recognition came approximately two months before the September 2024 encounter that led to the current criminal charges.
Ms. Somersall is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on October 30 at 10 a.m. The magistrate's order directs her to participate in the hearing via Zoom.
