Wanted Felons Captured By Customs And Border Protection In Territory

ST. THOMAS — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced this morning that its officers had identified two individuals wanted by local authorities in New Orleans and St. Thomas, during separate incidents this past week. CBP Pre-clearance inspections at the Cyril E King Airport in St. Thomas and at the Henry E. Rohlson Airport in St. Croix alerted CBP officers to the outstanding arrest warrants, according to the release.

On October 16, CBP officers at the Cyril E. King Airport here identified an individual boarding a flight to Miami, Florida, with a final destination of New Orleans. They noticed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on charges of harassing communication and stalking. CBP alerted law enforcement in New Orleans, who proceeded to arrest the individual upon his arrival to their port.

On October 19, CBP officers in St. Croix identified another individual wanted by law enforcement authorities. During CBP inspections at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, CBP officers interviewed a passenger boarding a flight with final destination Atlanta, Georgia. System checks revealed he had an active warrant from the Magistrate of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on robbery charges. CBP officers contacted the Virgin Islands Police Authority, who proceeded to place the subject under arrest.

“Technology and close collaboration amongst law enforcement allow CBP to detect felons that try to elude detection,” stated Marcelino Borges, director of field operations for Puerto Rico and the USVI. “CBP officers will remain vigilant to ensure that individuals that are traveling through our borders but are being sought by the criminal justice system for different transgressions are identified and brought to justice.”

According to the release, CBP officers detect many individuals wanted by authorities in the continental U.S. upon their arrival to the USVI or their return to the mainland from Puerto Rico and the USVI.

Feature Image: CBP truck at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC)