Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives on St. Croix charged Jomar “Chippa” Encarnacion, 18, of Estate Sion Farm and 20-year-old Chayanne Trinidad of Estate Peters Rest with the murder of 22-year-old Misael Morales, who was killed by gunfire on March 20 in Estate Castle Coakley.
The two were arrested minutes before 6 a.m. Friday.
At the time of the killing, police said robbery appeared to be a motive for the crime.
The suspects were charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree reckless endangerment, possession of an unlicensed firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and interfering with an officer while discharging his duties.
“We want to assure the community that these murder cases and all other cases are being investigated relentlessly," Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Novelle Francis said in announcing the arrests. “Although it may seem to the public that it takes a long time to make an arrest, the detectives are working to establish a solid case that can result in an unshakable conviction in court.”