Police have charged two USVI residents for armed robbery on Tortola. Photo: VINO/File

Over the weekend, Shaqil Roberts, 22, of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands was charged with robbery in relation to the June 2016 report by a local contractor that he was held at gunpoint near his construction site on Gene Hill by two armed assailants. Roberts is scheduled to appear in court today (Monday September 12, 2016).

Prior to this, Police had charged Shamori Richardson, 28, of St Thomas for robbery in that matter. Richardson appeared in court on August 30 and was placed on remand. His next appearance is set for October 6.

At the time of the incident, Head of Territorial Policing Superintendent St Clair Amory stated the two who approached the businessman on Gene Hill obviously came knowledgeable and prepared.

“The assailants came expecting to take funds from the contractor which he should have had to pay his employees. Fortunately, those funds were not on him at the time. We know that assailants study or are informed of the routine movements and money transfers of their victims, therefore we encourage businessmen or contractors to use cheques or direct bank deposit to pay workers on work sites,” the Superintendent noted.

The robbery team continues to actively pursue further breakthroughs in these cases. Therefore, Police are asking the public to report any suspicions, no matter how insignificant, to the Criminal Investigations Department by calling the RVIPF 311 number.

Persons can also call the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or the Miami based Crimestoppers number 800-8477.