Police on St. Croix have arrested Ivan Petric, Jr. a 32-year-old resident of Estate LaVallee. Mr. Petric is considered a suspect in a triple homicide that was discovered by police at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. He has been charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.

Mr. Petric is believed to be involved in the deaths of a 69-year old female, a 75-year-old male and a 31-year-old male, all residents of Estate LaVallee, St. Croix.

According to preliminary police reports, at approximately 8:30 a.m. police were dispatched to the LaVallee area after receiving reports of a vehicle blocking a driveway. Officers responding to the call also received information that shots had been discharged in the area. In the course of conducting a follow up investigation on the previously reported incidents, officers discovered the bodies of the slain individuals.

Police are withholding the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin.

Herminio Velazquez, St. Croix Deputy Police Chief, says police are investigating the circumstances of the homicides and are considering that the incident may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Anyone with information on this crime or any incident is urged to contact the confidential Criminal Investigation Bureau hotline at (340)778-4950 or 911.