Female Foils Burglary Attempt By Two Male Suspects; Police Seize 4 Weapons Including AK-47

ST. CROIX — A burglary attempt on Tuesday by two male suspects was foiled by the female victim, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced late Wednesday. Quick police work also led to the arrest of both suspects, as well as the confiscation of multiple deadly weapons, including an AK-47.

According to Mr. Dratte, police were dispatched to a discharging of gunshots incident in the western suburb area of Christiansted near the cemetery, where a report was taken regarding a foiled burglary.

The homeowner stated that the two suspects — identified as Karime Williams, 35, and Akeem Herbert, 27, — squeezed themselves out from behind the burglar bars and a struggled ensued. It was not clear whether the struggle took place outside or inside the house. Nonetheless, the two black males assaulted the homeowner and took her cellphone during the struggle. One of the suspects fired a shot and both fled the area on foot. Police were able to locate the suspects with the community’s assistance and they were positively identified as the gun-toting culprits.

Mr. Williams and Mr. Herbert were arrested and charged with first degree burglary, first-degree robbery, reckless endangerment and multiple gun charges. The gun charges came after police sought and obtained a telephonic warrant — the obtaining of a warrant after work hours in the evening, on weekends, or holidays — allowing officers to search a Christiansted home, where four guns were found, including an AK-47 assault weapon.

St. Croix Police Chief Winsbut McFarland credited officers for their speedy response and good police work, which was achieved by coordination with multiple police arms — including the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Patrol Division, and the Special Operations Quick Response Team. Chief McFarland also thanked the community for its assistance in capturing the perpetrators, and encouraged continued support by calling the force with information that may lead to arrests at 340-778-2211, or through Crime Stoppers USVI, where you may get paid for a tip leading to an arrest.

Unable to make bail of $75,000 each, both suspects were remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending their advise-of-rights hearing, set for Thursday, according to police.