V.I.P.D. Has Arrested Four Suspects Said To Be Involved In East End Rape Incident; Press Briefing Called For 2 P.M.

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Police Department on Friday arrested four individuals said to be involved in the East End Road rape incident that occurred two Saturdays ago, The Virgin Islands Consortium has learned. The publication immediately contacted Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, who confirmed the news. Mr. Richards also confirmed the four suspects to be three males and one female.

A press briefing has been called for 2:00 p.m. at the force’s headquarters in Frederiksted. “We want to make sure that we update everybody and provide you with all the information,” Mr. Richards said. He also thanked residents “for being there for us during this investigation and all the other investigations,” he said, referring to people who called to produce information. There was an over $40,000 reward for anyone who’d give details leading to the arrest of the individuals involved.

The arrests were a result of a police operation carried out either late Thursday or in the wee hours of Friday morning, The Consortium was told by a source with knowledge of the operation. The commissioner confirmed this to be true, adding that officers were following hot leads throughout Thursday.

The Consortium will attempt to carry the press briefing live on its Facebook platform, pending the internet connection at the location is optimum.

The incident took place on the East End Road, according to police. Two females were driving when suddenly a white double cab truck rear-ended them, prompting the victims to stop the vehicle. One female stepped out of the vehicle and was taken by the three assailants elsewhere and raped. She was later dropped off near Limetree Bay Terminals, formerly the HOVENSA Refinery. The second victim managed to escape, according to police.