ST. THOMAS — Police on Friday arrested a man after he attempted to extort money from a 60-year-old family member, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte made known via release Sunday.
The man, identified as 31-year-old Patrick Webster, tried to extort money from the victim by forcing her into her own vehicle, in which he drove her to a bank so that she could withdraw money from her account to give the suspect, Mr. Dratte said.
The victim said she went along with Mr. Webster because she feared he would harm her, revealing to police that the suspect had assaulted her in the past.
But it appears that the victim called police while in the bank, as Mr. Webster was arrested outside the Banco Popular branch located in Fort Mylner as he awaited the victim.
He was charged with kidnapping, extortion, false imprisonment, attempted extortion and disturbance of the peace, Mr. Dratte said.
No bail was given to Mr. Webster as the crime fell under the territory’s domestic violence statutes, according to police.
Mr. Dratte said no mugshot was taken of Mr. Webster as he refused to cooperate with the booking procedure.
The case is being investigated by the V.I.P.D.’s Domestic Violence Unit. The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information about the incident to 340-774-2211, or contact Crime Stoppers USVI with an anonymous tip here.
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