{"id":47999,"date":"2017-01-09T23:06:24","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T23:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=47999"},"modified":"2017-01-09T23:11:48","modified_gmt":"2017-01-09T23:11:48","slug":"police-issue-alert-community-following-spate-robberies-st-thomas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=47999","title":{"rendered":"Police Issue Alert To Community Following Spate Of Robberies In St. Thomas"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Police Department today issued an alert to the community, urging residents to be aware of their surroundings following a spate of robberies on this island — all of which occurred on January 7.<\/p>\n

That’s according to a press release issued today by V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman, making known the incidents that occurred on Saturday.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, January 7 at about 11:49 a.m., a citizen called the 911 emergency call center and reported that as she was walking towards her vehicle, she was robbed of her handbag. The victim stated that a black male walked up behind of her and began to tug on her bag. She further explained that she fell to the ground after a struggle ensued, which led to the suspect picking up the victim’s bag and fleeing in an unknown direction. The victim reported that she sustained minor scratches during the robbery but declined medical treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Saturday, January 7 at roughly 11:52 a.m., officers traveled to the area of Lockhart Gardens in regards to a robbery report. Upon arrival to the scene, contact was made with the victim who stated that as she left the Drug Farm Pharmacy and headed towards the parking lot west of the Guardian Insurance Office, she felt a tug on her bag. The victim continued by stating that as she clenched on to her bag, a struggle ensued that led to the suspect throwing her onto the ground. The male suspect then burst the strap of her bag and fled the area heading west towards Tenth Street, according to the victim. She concluded by stating that she immediately called the 911 emergency call center to report the incident. <\/span><\/p>\n

Further investigation revealed that the victim sustained multiple abrasions as a result of the incident.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also on Saturday, January 7 at approximately 7:48 p.m., detectives responded to an attempted robbery in the area of the bus stop located on Veterans Drive, in the vicinity of Cemetery # 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon arrival, contact was made with the victim, who stated that while at the bus stop waiting for a safari, she felt a pull on the right side of her backpack. She then turned around and observed three black young males that appeared to be teenagers behind of her with stockings covering their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

The victim continued by stating that two out of the three males told her to give them everything she had, as they tried to pull her behind the bus stop. She then fired a kick at one of the males while one of the other males struck her to the left side of her head with a gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

The victim said that she then grabbed hold of the male that struck her with the gun and one of the other males fired a shot towards the air.\u00a0 She then began screaming, causing the three males to take off running eastward in the cemetery towards the funeral home. The victim sustained injuries to the left forearm and tenderness to the left side of her head, and was treated by the emergency medical technicians who were present on the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

The V.I.P.D. shared the following tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of a robbery and what to do if your purse or wallet is stolen. The force says the first and most important rule is to be fully aware of your surroundings.<\/p>\n

Other tips include:<\/p>\n