ST. JOHN — Virgin Islands Police Department officers on Thursday arrested a man who allegedly broke into two St. John restaurants in the span of one week, stealing alcohol and other items from the facilities, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Friday.
According to Mr. Dratte, citing a police report, on April 4 at 9:30 a.m., central dispatch transmitted that a burglary had occurred at Wharfside Bistro Restaurant in Wharfside Village, Cruz Bay.
Police say the suspect entered the restaurant after it was closed and broke into the refrigerator — stealing over $1,000 worth of alcohol. The force said its investigation revealed that 66-year-old Malik Cheatham, above, of Solberg, St. Thomas was the suspect.
Then, on Tuesday at approximately 8:08 a.m., central dispatch transmitted that a burglary had occurred at Hightide Restaurant in Cruz Bay. A V.I.P.D. investigation also revealed that the suspect was Mr. Cheatham. Removed from the kitchen was liquor, food, sodas and an iPod, according to police.
Mr. Cheatham was located on Thursday at approximately 4:40p.m. on St. John, where he was placed under arrest and charged with third-degree burglary and trespassing.
Unable to make bail of $25,000, Mr. Cheatham was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advise-of-rights hearing.
Tags: alcohol, burglary, st john, us virgin islands