Police were able to recover all items that were stolen almost immediately after an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday night on Queen Cross Street in Christiansted.
According to the report from the V.I. Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene minutes before 10:30 p.m. Witnesses said two men dressed in dark clothing robbed two females of their handbags and other items.
The victims, whose names were not released by the police, told officers they were at their parked car putting some items in the trunk when one suspect approached them from behind and stuck a hard object, which the victim suspected was a gun, in her side and demanded her belongings. The victim and the suspect struggled for the bag but the suspect grabbed the bag and began running in the direction of the public library.
Concerned citizens ran after the suspect and were able to retrieve one of the bags he stole while he ran off.
Citizens detained another man who was in the immediate area of the robbery until the police arrived. Detectives said that person was not arrested at that time.
Officers canvassed the area and were able to retrieve the rest of the stolen items, including jewelry, cash, personal documents and a laptop computer. They were found in the vicinity of the government parking lot and the surrounding area.
Police are still searching for the suspect who ran. This case is being followed up by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
