Crime/Police
Police Locates Getaway Vehicle – Aladdin Store Robbers Still On The Run
Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) have located the vehicle used by four armed robbers on Friday morning to escape the scene after robbing the Aladdin Store on Flemming Street in Road Town, Tortola.
A video shared with this news agency shortly after midday on February 9 showed officers collecting evidence from the car used in the robbery.
Sources revealed that investigators discovered two different number plates on the car suspected to have been stolen. The vehicle has been taken into police custody for thorough examination by investigators.
In the meantime, the pursuit continues for the armed suspects, who carried out the daring raid at Aladdin Store, known for retailing branded merchandise including jewellery and bags, shortly after 10 am on February 9.
The bandits discharged shots into the air in the lively Road Town shopping square, causing alarm among residents in nearby buildings and on the street, with no reported injuries.
Police were summoned as the robbery was unfolding.
Eyewitnesses’ videos show four bandits clad entirely in black and shrouded in hoods concealing their faces fleeing the scene.
One suspect was wielding what seemed to be a semi-automatic gun at the store’s entrance.
The specifics regarding the quantity of stolen merchandise remain undisclosed.
RVIP in a statement confirmed the holdup and added that an investigation has been launched.
This is the second daytime heist in Road Town in less than a year. On July 1, 2023, a pair of armed and masked individuals dressed in all white robbed a jewellery store in the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
Both men fled towards the parking lot, firing several shots in the air before absconding with a quantity of the store’s merchandise.
Subsequently, Shamul Mitchell, 35, of Sand Box Road, and Jelani Marquis, 27, of Hannahs Estate, both on Tortola, were apprehended and charged with robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
They are currently on remand in prison.
The East End Police Station, previously closed due to ongoing sewerage works, is set to reopen its doors today, Friday, May 3.
The closure had been necessitated by sewerage works conducted by the Government of the Virgin Islands in the station’s parking lot.
Despite the station’s closure, law enforcement services in the East End district remained uninterrupted, with officers maintaining 24/7 patrols to ensure community safety. Residents were encouraged to contact officers directly at 368-9704 for immediate assistance or to report emergencies.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding during this time,” stated a spokesperson for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
With the reopening of the East End Police Station, residents can once again rely on the presence of local law enforcement for their safety and security needs.
Following a tip-off received on Thursday, April 25th, the Department of Immigration has activated a coordinated effort to locate suspected illegal migrants, with Peter Island emerging as a focal point in the ongoing investigation.
Prompted by this information, the Department of Immigration engaged HM Customs and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to form a Joint Task Force. Their collaborative efforts have been directed towards Peter Island, where two Indian nationals have already been apprehended. However, it is suspected that additional migrants, possibly of various nationalities, remain at large on the island.
Members of the Joint Task Force are committed to thoroughly conducting searches, not only on Peter Island but also across other potential locations, as authorities intensify efforts to locate the remaining migrants.
Anyone with relevant information should contact the Department of Immigration at 468-4705, 468-4717, 468-4754, or the RVIPF at 311.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested and charged 32-year-old Vernon Bernard from Manuel Reef and 28-year-old Jelani Marquis from Hannah’s Estate with the murder of Kemo Lettsome. The arrests were the result of an investigation spanning nearly a year.
Lettsome lost his life during a family gathering when he was fatally shot.
Commissioner Collins of the RVIPF praised the dedication and tenacity of the officers involved, stating, “I commend the exemplary dedication and tireless efforts of our officers who have been instrumental in reaching this pivotal stage of the investigation. Their commitment to justice and community safety has been unwavering, and it’s their hard work that brings us closer to justice for the victim and his family.”
While the investigation continues, the RVIPF assures the public of their commitment to gather all necessary evidence while respecting the integrity of the process.
Expressing gratitude for the community’s support and cooperation, the RVIPF urged anyone with information about this or any other murder within the territory to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-8477(TIPS) or the RVIPF Intelligence Department at 368-9339. All information provided will be treated as confidential.
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