Eustace Samuel, a 44-year-old known as “Tiger,” was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with an Oct. 26, 2011, double homicide.
The shooting occurred in Estate Welcome in front of the Stop and Save Food market across from the D.C. Canegata ballpark, according to a V.I. Police Department news release.
“This arrest is the result of good police work and determination on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives,” St. Croix Police Chief James Parris said.
Parris said it was through the relationships within the community that detectives developed and sustained that provided key information to link Samuel to the killings.
“Again the community has come through, providing critical information in a murder case. This arrest was the result of collaboration from citizens,” Parris said.
“We appreciate you," he added.
Detectives said information from the community assisted them in securing a warrant Tuesday afternoon.
Samuel was arrested just after noon Thursday while driving a vehicle in the area of the Sunny Isles Shopping Center.
Police said they confiscated a loaded semiautomatic weapon during the arrest. Samuel was also charged with possession of a weapon.
On the day of the 2011 murder, police reported they saw a white SUV crashed into a brick-faced column in the parking lot of the Stop and Save Market. Inside the vehicle were two deceased victims and another person who was wounded. Police said that while the SUV was attempting to park in the lot, shots were fired at it from the other side of the road to the left of the grocery store.
