V.I. Police officers returned Thursday from Florida, bringing with them murder suspect Rodney Stanley, wanted in the August 2009 murder of Anthony Minto Jr.
On Aug. 27, police responding to a report of shots being fired at about 2 p.m. in Estate Catherine’s Rest found the body of 18-year-old Minto. Police say the victim was apparently outside the supermarket when he was approached by one or more individuals, who fired at him.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, the V.I. Police Department obtained a warrant for Stanley’s arrest on Sept. 11, 2009, but before it could be served, Stanley fled the territory, the V.I. Police reported.
The data on Stanley was subsequently reported to the National Crime Information Center. When Stanley was stopped recently in Florida for a routine traffic violation, officers there learned of the warrant and detained him.
Officers left the territory Jan. 4 for Florida, and returned with Stanley Thursday, placing him under arrest.
“No matter where you may go with the intention of hiding from justice, there are other individuals who are also enforcing the laws of the United States of America, and other countries, who are working in harmony with us,” St. Croix Division Police Chief Oakland Benta said in announcing the arrest.
He thanked the citizens who provided information, which led to the warrant being issued and ultimately to Stanley’s arrest.
