
A suspect was accused of stealing a military-issued bulletproof vest from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Court records filed by police at the time of arrest said authorities encountered the accused shortly after receiving reports of a break-in, and also recovered what appeared to be the missing vest.
But at the time of that encounter on the evening of Nov. 11, 2025, the suspect — identified as Joseph Gordon — was being pulled from the waters of Charlotte Amalie Harbor by first responders. At that time, authorities said the primary concern was transporting the rescue victim for medical treatment. Investigators seeking details about the burglary reported earlier that day would later find out that the shirtless suspect seen slipping through the Coast Guard security gate and the man pulled from the harbor were one and the same.
“The suspect was found in the water and identified as Mr. Joseph Manuel Gordon, was pulled out by responding officers, and was transported via ambulance to the Schneider Regional Medical Center due to his condition,” said a statement prepared by Detective Brian Bedminster. After viewing surveillance recordings, detectives realized that Gordon matched the description of the burglary suspect. Reports described a bald man between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall, weighing about 230 pounds, with a possible tattoo on his arm.
But by the time investigators reached that conclusion, Gordon could not be found. The surveillance cameras also captured the suspect — on the grounds of the Coast Guard station — trying to open doors around the building, and finding one unlocked, entered and removed an armored ballistic vest.
Authorities finally caught up with the suspect after Gordon was arrested Jan. 9 in connection with a theft at the Foot Locker retail store at Lockhart Gardens Shopping Center. When confronted about the Veterans Day burglary on Veterans Drive, documents said the suspect admitted it was him.
Gordon made his initial appearance in Superior Court’s Magistrate Division Jan. 15 before Hon. Julie Smith Todman, where charges of burglary, grand larceny, trespassing and possession of stolen property were upheld.
Arraignment is set for Jan. 30.
























