Police Boost Patrols After Supermarket Robberies
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has heightened targeted patrols following back-to-back armed robberies at supermarkets in Manuel Reef and Road Reef over the weekend. Investigators are probing links between these incidents and an earlier robbery in Purcell late last month. Police are urging the community to remain vigilant and report any relevant information as detectives pursue several lines of inquiry.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has intensified targeted patrols across the Territory following armed robberies at two supermarkets on consecutive evenings over the weekend. The incidents, which occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, targeted commercial establishments in Manuel Reef and Road Reef.
Preliminary reports suggest that two males wearing face masks and gloves and travelling on scooters were involved in both weekend crimes. The brazen nature of the offenses has raised widespread alarm among residents and business owners alike, especially after closed-circuit television footage from one of the robberies began circulating widely across local and international social media channels.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool condemned the criminal acts, emphasizing that the RVIPF is treating the developments with high priority. She stated that no business owner, employee, or member of the public should have to live or work under the threat of armed violence, reaffirming law enforcement's commitment to protecting the community.
According to police, the enhanced patrol presence is designed to deter criminal behavior, shorten tactical response times, and provide reassurance to the local business community. Detectives are also examining possible connections between the weekend robberies and an earlier incident that occurred on September 25 along Blackburn Highway in Purcell.
In that case, two masked individuals dressed in black and brandishing what appeared to be a firearm entered an establishment shortly after 9:30 p.m. and fled with cash. Investigators noted that although RVIPF statistics recorded a 50 percent decrease in robberies from January to August 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, the sudden resurgence in violent attempts requires prompt and focused action.
Business operators are strongly encouraged to ensure their CCTV surveillance and security alarms are fully operational and to safely preserve all recorded footage. In addition, the public is advised to stay alert during evening hours, avoid displaying visible amounts of cash, and promptly notify authorities of any unusual behavior.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incidents or possesses relevant information is urged to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit confidentially at 368-9593.
Primary source: BVI Platinum