V.I.P.D. officers on Saturday afternoon took into custody two persons of interest in connection with today's (Dec. 4, 2021) robbery and shooting at the Glitter's jewelry store in Havensight. By. Emett Prevost, All Ah We TV
ST. THOMAS — Police Commissioner Ray Martinez said Saturday night that V.I.P.D. officers have taken into custody two persons of interest in connection with this morning's robbery and shooting at the Glitter's jewelry store at the Havensight Mall. The incident left a security guard and patron in critical condition, and Mr. Martinez said that as of Saturday night the victims' conditions had not changed.
The arrests were a result of solid leads provided by community members and police sources, according to Mr. Martinez, who praised the St. Thomas public for the support.
The persons of interest were taken into custody on 1st Avenue Saturday afternoon. "A search of the vehicle recovered an [AR15] assault rifle, a handgun and ammunition," Mr. Martinez said in a video statement. "The individuals that were arrested are persons of interest in this morning's incident as well as several other violent crime incidents that have occurred over the last month."
Surveillance Footage from CCTV and Havensight
Recently installed CCTV ( closed-circuit television) cameras — the much talked about initiative whose aim is to diminish and discourage crimes in the USVI — played a central role in the persons of interest being taken into custody today, said Mr. Martinez. Cameras installed throughout the Havensight Mall also helped.
Community Support
Mr. Martinez during a brief interview with the Consortium praised the community on multiple occasions for providing "really outstanding information."
"The public really came out huge today," he said. "The public really went to bat for us today and that helped us to quickly recover the getaway vehicle."
He added, "Even though it had already been abandoned and the suspects had already jumped into another vehicle, it was information from the public that led us to this afternoon."
Finally, the commissioner praised the efforts of V.I.P.D. officers for what he described as their tireless and effective work.
Police are still seeking more information, and the department is asking anyone with details of a crime to send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers USVI here.
