Nov. 18, 2001 — A St. Croix dealer in West Indian antiques was arrested late last week for allegedly seeking to sell stolen property.
George Tyler, owner of Schooner Bay Market Place, was charged with possession of stolen property including an antique mahogany bed valued at $24,000, according to The Avis. The bed, which reportedly was taken from St. John’s Anglican Church, was among the items for sale at Tyler’s antique outlet above the market, where an island resident identified items that had been stolen from her home.
The woman notified police, who arrested Tyler late Thursday, according to The Avis.
Tyler, the former owner of the Pink Fancy Hotel, is a member of the St. Croix Landmarks Society and for several years has conducted the society's annual Whim Auction, noted worldwide for its collection of Danish West Indian antiques.
The account quoted Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis as saying that Tyler allegedly had returned stolen antiques to people previously after they had seen their property on display at the outlet.
Police originally charged Tyler with third-degree burglary, possession of stolen property, grand larceny and forcible and unlawful entry. However, a Territorial Court judge issued an arrest warrant only for the possession charge. Law-enforcement officials said they plan to refile all of the other original charges.
Tyler was released from custody after posting 10 percent of his $25,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 28.
