Jason Smith Remanded After Conviction in Cineplex
Twenty-one-year-old Jason Smith has been remanded in custody after being convicted on July 30, 2026, of three counts of robbery and one count of possession of proceeds of criminal conduct in connection with a June 11, 2023 armed robbery outside UP’s Cineplex. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed the conviction and remand to Guavaberry on August 21; sentencing is set for September 18, 2026.
Twenty-one-year-old Jason Smith has been remanded in custody after being convicted of three counts of robbery and one count of possession of proceeds of criminal conduct in relation to an armed robbery that took place outside UP’s Cineplex on June 11, 2023. Court proceedings in the matter concluded on July 30, 2026, when Supreme Court Justice Angelica Teelucksingh found Smith guilty of all four offences.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. on June 11, 2023, when four moviegoers were in the Cineplex parking lot after a film. According to police accounts, the group was approached by a man wearing dark clothing and armed with a firearm. The assailant is reported to have pointed the weapon at the group and demanded mobile phones and jewellery.
Two of the victims were struck in the head during the robbery and sustained lacerations. The victims complied, handing over phones and jewellery, and the perpetrator fled with the stolen items. A report was made to the Road Town Police Station shortly after the attack, triggering an investigation by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Investigators and prosecutors worked on the case over the following years, leading to the trial and conviction in July 2026. The RVIPF confirmed to Guavaberry on August 21 that Smith was found guilty of three counts of robbery and one count of possession of proceeds of criminal conduct on July 30 and that Justice Teelucksingh ordered Smith to remain in custody pending sentencing.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 18, 2026. Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool praised the work of investigators and prosecutors, saying the conviction “reflects the continued dedication of our officers and investigators in bringing offenders before the courts.” In statements released by the force, she warned that robbery is a serious offence that can have lasting effects on victims and the wider community and commended the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for its role in securing the prosecution (RVIPF, as reported by Guavaberry).
The RVIPF added that it remains committed to investigating serious offences, protecting the community and supporting the judicial process to ensure offenders are held accountable. The case, first reported by VINO and updated by Guavaberry, underscores continuing efforts by local law enforcement to address violent and predatory crimes in the territory.
For residents, the matter is a reminder of the risks posed by street and parking-lot robberies. The police encourage members of the public to report suspicious activity promptly and to take basic personal-safety precautions when leaving public venues at night. The upcoming sentencing hearing will determine the penalties Smith will face for his convictions.
Primary source: VINO