April 27, 2008 – Police on St. John are investigating three separate incidents of robbery and burglary at private villas, according to a statement Sunday from V.I. police. The first incident occurred about 8 p.m. last Sunday. A couple in their mid-40s, visiting from Arlington, Va., reported to police that they were having dinner on the porch of their villa in the Enighed area when an unknown black male entered the villa and demanded money.
The suspect was wearing a wolf mask and carried a handgun, the couple told police. The suspect took $200 and left without harming the couple.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call from a vacationing couple who reported that an unknown person or persons apparently entered their Klein Bay villa while they were sitting on an outside porch. The couple told police when they reentered the villa they noticed several items in disarray. An iPod and $150 in cash were missing, they said, though they did not see anyone in the area.
On Thursday around 11:40 p.m., a report of a burglary at a villa in the Chocolate Hole area was received by police. Two couples in their mid-50s, who are regular visitors to the island and staying at the villa, told police they returned home from dinner and found that a camera, jewelry and a pair of binoculars were missing.
St. John Deputy Chief of Police Darren Foy said investigations into these incidents are ongoing and are being followed up by Investigation Bureau detectives. Foy added that villa owners and managers can employ additional safety measures.
"Many of these villas are in secluded areas and prime targets for crimes of opportunity," Foy said. He suggested that owners periodically check the status of alarm systems and motion detectors and install these safety measures if none are present. Visitors should inquire about alarm systems and motion detectors when renting villas and make sure all doors and windows are secured when they are in the villa or away.
He also cautioned residents to secure their homes.
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