Heather Turfley, 35, was arrested Tuesday after she was identified as the person who allegedly robbed First Bank in Cruz Bay, St. John, the Police Department indicated in a press release.
The suspect, who police said is from Nevada and may be homeless, was charged with first degree robbery. Her bail was set at $75,000 and she was transported to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
According to the press release, bank personnel told police a woman came into the bank, stood in line and acted like a regular customer. When she reached the teller, the woman handed her a note indicating that this was a “stick up,” instructing the teller to give the suspect all the money.
The teller told police the suspect had something wrapped in a scarf so she complied and the suspect left the bank with the money. The Police Department got the call at 12:24 p.m. Tuesday.
A passerby reported to police at the station that a woman standing on a street had a large amount of money in her hand and was throwing it around.
Police detained the woman, who was later positively identified as the woman who allegedly robbed the bank. Police recovered a majority of the money.
Police Department spokesman Melody Rames said the amount of money involved in the robbery was not known.
“They never disclose the amount of money,” she said.
Sen. Craig Barshinger, who was at the bank several hours after the robbery, said he was told passersby gathered up the money allegedly thrown around by Turfley and took it to the police station.
“That is an indication of the caliber of people we have on St. John,” Barshinger said.
