Police Arrest Man Believed To Be Involved In Counterfeit Money Scheme

ST. THOMAS — V.I.P.D. officers on Wednesday arrested a man believed to be involved in a counterfeit money scheme that has been affecting St. Thomas. But the force gave no details that would clarify why the suspect was arrested and jailed, with V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer, Glen Dratte, telling The Consortium that while the information in the release is scant, he was certain that there were more details that would explain the arrest, although Mr. Dratte could not furnish those details.

According to Mr. Dratte, St. Thomas police were dispatched to Senor Pizza, located in Red Hook, in reference to counterfeit bills. Upon their arrival, police made contact with the restaurant’s manager, who told police that he had received counterfeit bills from a man that he knows, named Troy Etiene.

Police then made contact with Mr. Etiene, 28, in the area of Smith Bay, and arrested him. Police did not say whether Mr. Etiene was questioned, or what kind of evidence they had in their position aside from the word of the manager; Mr. Etiene could have easily said that he did not know he was in possession of the fake bills.

The suspect was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advise-of-rights hearing, after failing to make bail of $65,000.

Police are asking anyone with information about such crimes to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-714-9800, or Crime Stoppers USVI here. 

Earlier this month, members of the force’s Investigation Bureau travelled to Plaza Extra at the Tutu Park Mall regarding a report of counterfeit bills. Contact was made with an on-duty shift supervisor, who stated that they discovered several counterfeit bills amounting to approximately $460.

V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman said the matter was forwarded to the force’s Economic Crime Unit for a follow up investigation. Law enforcement officials urged residents to look carefully at the their cash, and to report any counterfeit bills discovered.

The counterfeit bills were all $20s, with the bottom portion of the bills appearing darker than normal, including the body and clothing of the president. The security thread was not visible and the bill felt thicker than a normal bill, according to a description provided by police.