Authorities say a clerk at the Wilbur Francis Police Command looked out a window on Nov. 22 and saw flames outside the building. According to a statement issued by the Virgin Islands Police Department Communications Division, the clerk alerted an officer on duty, and an investigation began.
That investigation led to the arrest of a man the officer found at the scene with a green cigarette lighter in hand.
The officer was told, “ … there was a fire inside the commissioner’s main entrance,” said Communications Specialist Kishma Chichester. Efforts to put out the fire ensued.
The suspect — identified as Akeal Elijah Wilkins — fled the scene but later returned to the scene and was apprehended. He was taken to Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment of an apparent mental disorder, then returned to Wilbur Francis Command to face charges.
Wilkins was charged with first-degree arson, second-degree burglary and destruction of property. The suspect made an appearance at an advice of rights hearing in Superior Court Magistrate’s Division on Monday.
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Police on St. Thomas executed an arrest warrant for a suspect wanted in New York State on charges of grand larceny and illegal weapons possession. Joseph M. Mydlenski was apprehended at Pineapple Village in Smith Bay, charged with being a fugitive from justice on a July 25 warrant issued from Onondaga County, New York.
Superior Court Magistrate Paula Norkadis signed an extradition order after the suspect appeared at a hearing on Monday and agreed to return to the U.S. mainland.
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Stepped up enforcement of traffic violations under “Operation Set De Tone” led to the arrest of a motorist along St. Croix’s Queen Mary Highway. A driver identified as Earl Shervington was apprehended at a traffic stop after a K-9 patrol detected the scent of contraband inside his vehicle. A subsequent search uncovered marijuana and a firearm with no identifying marks.
Shervington was charged with violation of an open carry of firearms statute and possession of an illegal weapon.
A statement issued by the VIPD Communications Division on Nov. 23 announced an enhanced traffic safety initiative taking effect from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31 in conjunction with the 2024 holiday season.
“The officers will be conducting checkpoints and patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers in accordance with Title 20, Section 493 of the Virgin Islands Code. While the primary focus is on impaired driving, officers will also address other visible traffic infractions,” said K’Tonya Petrus from the VIPD Office of the Commissioner.
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An apparent dispute over a bill of sale led to the arrest of a man on St. Croix, charged with brandishing a firearm. Details listed in court documents say police were called to a business in Estate St. John on Nov 23. The complainant reported an altercation with the suspect over the price of merchandise listed on an invoice.
Police were summoned after the suspect — identified as Marlon Swantson — allegedly tried to snatch the bill of sale away from the complainant, and a struggle ensued. A witness said the suspect then went to his car to retrieve a handgun.
Swantson was charged with third-degree assault and brandishing a firearm.
