Police on St. Croix are investigating two arson incidents that caused damage to two structures, and an attempted arson that occurred Saturday in Frederiksted.
Police were called to investigate an attempted arson to the parade reviewing stand located near Fort Frederik. Witnesses told officers that a male dressed in dark clothing threw a beer bottle onto the reviewing stand, and when police inspected the bottle, it appeared to contain gasoline that was leaking onto the stand.
Later, an arsonist succeeded in setting fire to the reviewing stand just before midnight on Saturday. By the time police arrived on the scene, firefighters had already extinguished the flames, which had partially burned the bandstand floor. Police recovered a gasoline container near the stand, which will be processed for forensic evidence.
The owner of Coconuts on the Beach, reported to police around 9 a.m. Saturday, that a wooden shed located on the eastern side of his business also had fire damage, and there were broken beer bottles in the area.
Police said the fires were all intentionally set.
These cases remain under active investigation and police are urging anyone who has any information regarding these fires and attempted arson to contact police at 712-6077, 712-6037, or you can call Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.
