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Arrests Made in $71,000 Online Banking Fraud Scheme at Banco Popular

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ST. CROIX – In a swift and well-coordinated response by the Economic Crime Unit of the V.I. Police Department, two individuals have been apprehended concerning a fraud scheme that reportedly pilfered $71,000 from unsuspecting Banco Popular customers.

Luis Arias Alvarez, 26, alongside Daymarie Roque-Guerrero, 21, emerged as prime suspects in this sophisticated scam. Initiating their probe on August 9, investigators peeled back the layers of an elaborate deception that revolved around the misuse of the Retiro Movil Platform for online banking.

Bank security footage from Banco Popular branches located at Orange Grove, Sunshine Mall, and Sunny Isles in St. Croix captured the suspects in action. This damning evidence showed Alvarez and Roque-Guerrero making unauthorized ATM withdrawals. Their modus operandi involved illegitimately accessing the Mi Banco Online platform, which led to the unauthorized depletion of funds from innocent customer accounts.

However, their operation hit a snag on Friday. A keen-eyed informant tipped off detectives about Alvarez’s whereabouts near Banco Popular’s Orange Grove Branch. He was soon intercepted as he moved towards Pueblo Golden Rock. Simultaneously, Roque-Guerrero found herself cornered at her residence at #240 Estate Richmond. Both individuals were secured and arrested without incident.

The legal weight now bearing down on the duo is considerable. They face a slew of charges encompassing grand larceny, obtaining money under false pretenses, identity theft, and unauthorized computer access for fraudulent intentions. Following their processing at the Frederiksted-based Wilbur H. Francis Police Operation Building, they were brought before the judicial system. Their collective bail was determined at $20,000.

While Alvarez is currently detained at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility, having not posted bail, Roque-Guerrero secured her release through a 10% bond valued at $2,005, sanctioned by Judge Alphonso G. Andrews.

The forthcoming legal proceedings for the suspects are slated for August 14, 9:00 a.m., at the V.I. Superior Court in St. Croix, where they will be formally advised of their rights.

The V.I. Police Department, unwavering in its commitment, underlines its dedication to curbing economic crimes and ensuring the safety of the community. In light of this, community members are urged to be alert and proactively report any unusual or suspicious activities.

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Crime

Wahilli James Sentenced for Role in RICO Enterprise Led by Incarcerated Paul Girard

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In a significant development, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Virgin Islands announced the sentencing of Wahilli James, aged 28, to a six-year prison term for his involvement in a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), masterminded by Paul Girard from his prison cell.

U.S. Attorney Delia Smith, who made the announcement, detailed James’s admission of guilt in two high-stakes armed robberies. These crimes occurred in St. Thomas and St. Croix, orchestrated as part of the Girard-led RICO enterprise.

Court records revealed a chilling account of the first incident on September 16, 2013. James, alongside accomplices, targeted Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry in St Thomas. The group executed a harrowing heist, with an assailant threatening the owner at gunpoint while James and the others looted a significant cache of jewelry.

The second incident, on November 21, 2013, saw James and his cohorts striking “They Say Bar” in St. Croix. Disguised with face masks and armed, they conducted the robbery. Tragically, during this event, the bar’s owner suffered a gunshot wound to the head from one of the robbers while attempting to thwart their entry.

Judge Savage, acknowledging James’s time already served, adjusted his 72-month sentence accordingly. Additionally, James is mandated to compensate $161,350.00 in restitution.

This case, a result of diligent efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department, was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Edwards, along with Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Christopher Taylor of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Marie Zisa of the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.

The successful resolution of this case is part of the broader strategy of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. This program aims to neutralize high-level criminal threats including drug trafficking, money laundering, and other transnational criminal activities by employing a comprehensive, multi-agency, intelligence-driven approach. The OCDETF program unifies the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat these sophisticated criminal networks.

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Crime

VIPD Apprehends Two Suspects Following Vehicle Chase and Shooting; Search for Third Suspect Underway

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ST. THOMAS – In a swift response to a 911 alert, VIPD officers engaged in a high-speed chase on Thursday afternoon in St. Thomas, following a report of a vehicle being driven recklessly by three masked individuals.

Beginning around 3:04 p.m. near Judy Gomez Highway in the Altona & Welgunst vicinity, the pursuit involved a vehicle reported as stolen. VIPD quickly mobilized after receiving a call about the vehicle’s hazardous driving.

The chase progressed to the Mafolie region, where the suspects, attempting to escape, drove the stolen car through a police checkpoint, resulting in damage to two vehicles, the VIPD informed the Consortium.

The situation intensified near Louisenhoj Castle, where shots were fired at the officers in pursuit, as confirmed by Glen Dratte, the VIPD Director of Communications. Subsequently, a male with a gunshot wound, identified as one of the suspects, was found in a nearby yard. He was apprehended by VIPD and received medical attention at Schneider Regional Medical Center.

The incident also led to the capture of a second suspect, who was likewise hospitalized for treatment. VIPD is actively searching for the third suspect, believed to be in the Hull Bay area.

The police have described the ongoing situation as dynamic and continue to work diligently. They are encouraging residents to stay alert and report any unusual activities in their neighborhoods to 911.

Updates on this evolving situation will be provided as they become available, ensuring the community stays informed.

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Crime

Passenger Detained for Marijuana Possession at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport

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In a recent incident at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, Rayjon Ali faces serious legal consequences for attempting to transport marijuana. This case unfolded on the evening of December 3, when Ali, arriving on a Spirit Airlines flight from Philadelphia with a stopover in Fort Lauderdale, was apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

The detection of the drugs was aided by narcotics-sniffing dogs, which signaled the presence of a controlled substance in a hardshell suitcase tagged to Ali. Upon inspection in a secondary area by CBP officers, Ali’s suitcase was found to contain $3,310 in U.S. currency and three bags of a green leafy substance. This substance later tested positive for marijuana, weighing in at 957 grams.

Ali, during a preliminary interview with a Department of Homeland Security Special Agent, admitted his awareness of the wrongdoing but claimed his motive was to earn money quickly. Despite this initial admission, he refrained from giving an official statement. Consequently, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The subsequent legal proceedings, including Ali’s advice of rights hearing, were presided over by Magistrate Yolan Brow Ross. During this hearing, a bail with a cash component of $750 was set. Further details of the hearing and the case are pending public release.

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