ARRESTED: VITEMA’s Ethelbert Benjamin

CHRISTIANSTED — The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) operations manager has been arrested on St. Croix in connection with the rape of a 20-year-old woman, according to police.

Ethelbert “Bert” C. Benjamin, Jr., 56,  of Christiansted was arrested about 9:15 a.m. on Thursday on charges of first-degree rape, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) said.

“I’m not sure anyone’s going to be shocked by this news,” said Angela Maria Thomas on Facebook. “I mean some things are expected and this isn’t the first time this individual has been involved in something good like this. Got away the first time and like an ass went back and violated someone else. #scuntofthemonth “

VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said that Benjamin was remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice of rights hearing.

The VIPD, Criminal Investigations Bureau, continue to ask the Community for information in solving Crime in the territory. You can call CIB on St. Thomas at (340) 774-2211 on St. Croix (340) 778-2211 or Crimestoppers VI at 1-800-222-TIPS or 911.

“We can make this Virgin Islands safer for all us, the information you provide may make that difference,” Dratte said.

For an audio-only reading of this news story by Dratte please press play below:

http://www.vitema.gov/news/releases/2012/02/vitema-communications-team-recognized-by-whca.html