St. Thomas Men, Wanted For Crimes In Territory, Arrested In Tennessee And Arizona

ST. THOMAS — Two men wanted in St. Thomas on separate charges of murder and robbery, were detained on the U.S. mainland over the weekend and extradited to the territory, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman announced Monday.

According to Ms. Freeman, Treson Stephens, above, age 25, was detained at 4:50 p.m. by Tennessee police on December 9, on a warrant issued by the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. According to police, Mr. Stephens was identified as the third individual involved in the fatal shooting of Shacoi Benjamin, 22, just outside the former Blitz Night Club on October 19, 2014.

Mr. Stephens was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm, reckless endangerment and aiding and abetting, according to police. He was extradited to the territory after waiving extradition rights. Mr. Stephens was not granted bail, according to Ms. Freeman.

Another St. Thomas man, Ron Kuntz (V.I.P.D. is awaiting a mugshot of the suspect), was detained in Tempe, Arizona on December 10, after Arizona police — through the the National Crime Information Center — discovered that there was an outstanding warrant for Mr. Kuntz in the territory for armed robbery.

According to Ms. Freeman, Mr. Kuntz and other individuals were identified as being responsible for the armed robbery of Gems & Gold Corner on September 16, 2013. He was transported to the territory after waiving extradition rights. At home, Mr. Kuntz faces first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, destruction of property and aiding abetting charges.

After failing to make bail of $150,000, Mr. Kuntz was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advise-of-rights hearing.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge that may lead to the arrest of individuals suspected of perpetrating criminal acts to contact 911, or Crime Stoppers USVI, where your tip may net you a payday.