Upper l2r: Kaywana Meade, Ikoyo Matthias. Lower l2r: Samuel Rivera Jr., Benjamin Cabret, and Jose Berrios. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — In a series of coordinated arrests, the V.I. Police Department has apprehended multiple individuals in connection with a robbery and assault that took place in the Castle Coakley area of St. Croix earlier this year. The arrests follow a complex investigation that culminated in the issuance of several arrest warrants.
According to the VIPD, on August 28 officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Samuel Rivera Jr., 32, who was taken into custody after a firearm was found in his bedroom. Rivera was charged with carrying a firearm openly or concealed. His bail was set at $50,000, and he was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility after being unable to post bail.
On the same day, 32-year-old Ikoyo Matthias was also arrested in connection with the February 22, 2024, robbery. According to court documents, Matthias and his co-conspirators allegedly assaulted the victim in the vicinity of Carlos Bar. Matthias was charged with first-degree assault, with his bail set at $75,000. He, too, was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility.
On August 29, Benjamin Cabret, 31, turned himself in to authorities. He faces several charges, including first-degree robbery, assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Cabret, along with the other suspects, allegedly robbed and assaulted the victim at gunpoint on February 22. His bail was set at $75,000, and he was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing.
In a related development, on August 30, VIPD officers apprehended 22-year-old Kaywana Meade, who was implicated in orchestrating the robbery. According to the investigation, Meade was with the victim in his vehicle and directed him to stop near Strictly the Best Clothing Store, where her co-conspirators robbed and assaulted the victim at gunpoint. Meade was charged with first-degree robbery, and was unable to post her $75,000 bail. She was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending her Advice of Rights Hearing.
Later that same day, Jose Berrios, 36, turned himself in to the authorities. Berrios was also involved in the February 22 robbery and assault, where he and others attacked the victim after he withdrew money from an ATM. Berrios was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Like the others, Berrios was unable to post his $75,000 bail and was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility.
The suspects are all awaiting their Advice of Rights hearings, scheduled for early September.
