Two arrests this week effectively broke up a burglary ring that plagued St. Thomas residents for several weeks, according to Darren Foy, Police chief of the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island district.

According to a released statement, Foy said the suspects targeted businesses in the downtown Charlotte Amalie area and broke into residences, businesses and vehicles. In some cases the burglars were captured on video surveillance tape, the chief said.

“The arrests of these suspects will reduce the incidents of burglaries in the downtown area, as they are responsible for the majority of them in recent weeks,” Foy said.

The chief thanked the officers who worked on the case, and residents who brought information to the police and assisting in bringing this case to a successful close. Foy said detectives are still working on the case and urged anyone who may have been a victim to report any unreported crime so officers can follow up.

Additionally Foy said if residents have knowledge of persons who sell or receive stolen property, whether related to this case or any other case, they should contact police and tell what they know.

The first suspect arrested in this case was 38-year-old Allen Francis Samuel of Estate Altona. Police arrested Samuel at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. He was originally charged with four counts of third-degree burglary in connection to burglaries at Love and Joy of the V.I., Jen’s Café, Doctor’s Choice and Tanya’s Beauty Salon.

Samuel was held on a $25,000 bail and he was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.

Police said another man was in custody and will be charged with similar crimes. Foy said the second suspect was “an accessory” to Samuels’ crimes, and said the arrest process had not been completed on the suspect late Wednesday. The suspect's identity and other information will be released when the process is complete, the news release said.