Man Robs Bank Of St. Croix, Gets Captured By Police ‘Within Minutes’

ST. CROIX — A man who robbed the Bank of St. Croix facility in Peter’s Rest this morning and made away with cash, was captured mere minutes after fleeing the scene, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Thursday.

According to Mr. Dratte, the 911 emergency call center received an alarm from the bank at about 9:16 a.m. in reference to the robbery.

A preliminary investigation by officers who responded to the incident, revealed that an individual came into the bank concealing his identity with a hoodie and sunglasses, approached the security guard, grabbed him by his neck, and pointed his weapon towards the security guard’s head. The suspect then approached the teller and demanded that she place cash into a bag he had.

Adam Mason

The teller then filled the bag with money and gave it back to the suspect, who took the bag of money and discharged a single gunshot towards the ceiling while escaping the bank on foot, according to police.

The Bank of St. Croix in Peter’s Rest lacks an entrance control door that allows only one person at a time to enter the facility, and has the ability to lock someone in — with bulletproof doors — if said person were to attempt shooting their way out. Both Firstbank and Banco Popular in Sunny Isle have implemented such measures. However, the Firstbank branch in downtown Christiansted, as well as Golden Rock — and the Scotia Bank in Sunny Isle — lack these security measures. The Banco Popular branch in Golden Rock, like its sister facility in Sunny isles, has implemented this security measure.

According to Mr. Dratte, police managed to apprehend the suspect, revealed as Adam Mason, at 9:27 a.m. in Castle Coakley. They also discovered the cash given to the assailant by the teller, as well as the firearm Mr. Mason used to shoot towards the ceiling during the robbery.

Mr. Mason, 31, was charged with first-degree robbery, and was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending his advise-of-rights hearing.

St. Croix Police Chief Winsbut McFarland commended the officers for their quick work in apprehending Mr. Mason, according to Mr. Dratte.