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Police Capture Suspect in Christiansted Robbery
April 3, 2008
Police on St. Croix pursued and captured one suspect shortly after he and another individual robbed a convenience store in Christiansted Wednesday evening. The suspect was apprehended after an exchange of gunfire with police near Fort Christianvaern.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, two individuals entered the Stop and Save Supermarket in Estate Welcome across from the Canegata ballpark in Christiansted, pointed a gun at the female cashier and demanded money. One suspect leaned over the counter and removed an undetermined amount of cash. While the suspects were exiting the establishment they encountered an off duty Superior Court Marshall and attempted to rob him also. There was an exchange of gunfire and the suspects fled the scene in a green 2001 Ford Explorer Pickup Truck, which police believe was stolen from a mid-island business earlier that week.
The suspects drove toward Christiansted town and collided with a wall near the old Department of Education building on Hospital Street. They abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot toward Fort Christianvaern.
Police, responding to a 911 call of discharging of shots, observed the suspects running and gave chase. Another round of gunfire was exchanged and police tackled and subdued the suspect near the Protestant Cay ferry dock. One eyewitness told police they observed the suspect throw something in the water before he was captured.
The suspect was transported by ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital where he remains in stable condition with several gunshot wounds about the body. Police recovered some of the cash which was apparently stolen in the robbery. Investigation into the incident is continuing.
Police Commissioner James H. McCall commended the Superior Court Marshall for his quick thinking during the robbery. He also commended the Police officers who responded quickly to the scene and captured the suspect. “It was outstanding police work,” McCall said.