Female Raped After Being Carjacked On East End Road

Story last updated on Monday, 7:30 p.m.

ST. CROIX — A female was raped on Saturday night after she and her friend were carjacked on East End Road, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced late Monday.

According to Mr. Dratte, the 911 emergency call center received notification via phone call at approximately 11:36 p.m. on Saturday, in reference to the carjacking.

One of the two female victims told police that while she was traveling with her friend, a white double cab truck rear-ended them several times, so they stopped, and she got out of the vehicle. As soon as she stepped out, however, she was taken by multiple male suspects elsewhere and raped. The other victim who was in the vehicle managed to escape the assault.

Posts making the rounds on social media provided additional details. Former lieutenant governor candidate in the 2014 general election and former VI Fire Service chief, Angel Torres, also shared the details on his Facebook page, and told The Consortium late Monday that the info came from police. According to the information provided, the female victim who was taken by the male suspects was not only raped, but threatened, as the suspects took a picture of the victim’s ID, which included her address, and warned her not to report the rape because her entire family, along with the victim, would be killed. The victim and her family are now making plans to leave the territory, according to post Mr. Torres shared, which cited information provided by an officer.

The incident was said to have occurred either at Tide Village or the Divi area. The suspects dropped off the victim near Limetree Bay Terminals, formerly the HOVENSA Refinery, according to the post Mr. Torres shared, quoting the police source.

There are reports making the rounds of a similar incident that occurred in the Sunny Isle area, but Mr. Dratte said the V.I.P.D. had not received any reports aside from the East End rape.

The V.I.P.D. said the case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. The force also warned motorists that if they’re being rear-ended multiple times, don’t stop immediately; instead, they should call 911 or wait until the nearest Police Station is in sight. A description of the hostile vehicle should also be sought.

Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the assailants to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI.