A 20-year-old robbery suspect was arrested Sunday, accused of taking part in a chain snatching incident on Sunday at Rainbow Beach, St. Croix. Once he was in custody, the suspect identified himself as a civilian employee of the Virgin Islands Police Department.
Documents filed in connection with the case describe the apprehension of suspects George Richards and T’ssadiq Joseph — both men wearing ski masks at the time
“ … (the) Emergency Call Center received a report of a robbery that occurred in the vicinity of the Rainbow Beach in Prosperity, Frederiksted. Upon the arrival of the responding officers, they made contact with a detective who had already detained T’ssadiq Joseph,” according to a statement issued Monday from the VIPD Communications Unit.
The suspect’s affiliation with the police department was later confirmed by St. Croix District Police Chief Uston Cornelius. “He was a community service officer,” the chief said.
Assistant Police Commissioner Sean Santos released a statement shortly after the arrest, saying, “The Virgin Islands Police Department will not tolerate conduct that violates the standards, values and ethical obligations expected of those who serve our community,” Santos said.
Officials reacting to the arrest of Joseph and Richards said, “Mr. Joseph (as a Community Service Officer) is held to the highest standards of integrity and public trust, and any violations are taken seriously and addressed accordingly.”
Details found in the Probable Cause Fact Sheet further indicated that a relative of the robbery victim identified Richards to investigators as the son of a St. Croix police officer whom the informant knew personally.
That officer was notified and traveled to the beach to help locate her son, the report said.
The stolen item — a Gucci chain with a gold pendant — had a reported value of $5,000. Joseph and Richards were scheduled to appear at an advice of rights hearing in Superior Court on Tuesday.
