After enjoying a relatively crime free few months, a rash of burglaries were reported in the Coral Bay area last week.
A total of nine burglaries in Estates Upper Carolina and Hansen Bay on the island’s East End were reported to V.I. Police Department officials on the same day, Wednesday, April 21, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Based on information gathered at the crime scenes, VIPD St. John Deputy Chief Darren Foy believed that one person was responsible for all of the burglaries.
“This suspect is sending some type of message either against the police department or residents in the area,” Foy said on Friday, April 23.
The suspect entered all of the homes through unlocked doors, by prying open a window or by removing louvers and then unlocking doors, according to information from the VIPD.
Most of the homes were ransacked and food was taken and eaten. Before leaving several of the homes, the suspect turned on the water and plugged the drain in sinks, flooding the homes, according to VIPD spokesperson Melody Rames.
“Some homeowners reported that nothing was stolen from them while others reported that passports, birth certificates, jewelry and electronics were stolen from the homes,” said Rames.
Forensic evidence has been collected from the crime scenes and sent for comparison, VIPD Chief Foy added.
Patrols have been increased in the area and the community is urged to be watchful and report all suspicious individuals.
Anyone having information on these burglaries is urged to call the VIPD’s Leander Jurgen Command at 693-8880, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 715-5522, 715- 5516 or 714-9834. Residents are also urged to call Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.
