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$6,000 REWARD FOR INFO ON MISSING POLICE OFFICER

July 2, 2001 – Police have increased to $6,000 the reward being offered for information on the whereabouts of Cpl. Wendell "Lazee" Williams, a St. Croix officer who has not been seen for 18 days.
The government, the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce and the two police union locals on St. Croix — the Police Benevolent Association and the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union — have put up money to increase the reward offering. As police criminal investigators pound the pavement in search of information on Williams' whereabouts, search teams are continuing their efforts to locate the 18-year veteran of the St. Croix force.
On Saturday and Sunday, search teams of police personnel, volunteers and retired police officers fanned out across the island. But Operaton Quest, as the recovery effort has been dubbed, has yet to yield tangible results.
Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Saturday that land and aerial searches conducted across the island "have been fruitless thus far." Williams' burned vehicle was found a week ago near Castle Burke.
Francis said he is hoping that the increase in the reward fund will lead to additional information from the community.
The acting commander of the criminal investigation bureau, Lt. Gregory Bennerson, urged the community to support the search effort. Information received so far "has provided some leads," he said, but more help is needed. Bennerson praised the efforts of Territorial Court marshals who have assisted in the effort.
Williams disappeared in mid-June after dropping a relative off at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. What was initially a missing person case was upgraded to a criminal investigation last week with the discovery of Williams' burned vehicle.
Williams is described by police officials as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 190-200 pounds, with brown eyes, a beard and graying hair in a low-cut Afro style. He is known to frequent the Five Corners service station and the Peter's Rest cricket field.
Anyone with information as to his possible whereabouts is asked to call police at 778-4950, 778-2211 ext. 4530 or the emergency number 911.

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