St. Thomas Teenager Faces 10 Years In Prison For Using Assault Rifle In Gold Chain Snatching

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A St. Thomas teenager admitted in federal court that he used an assault rifle to snatch a gold chain, authorities said today.

Arthur Greaves, Jr., 19, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, U.S, Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.

According to court documents, on May 17, 2018, Greaves pointed an A-15 rifle at an individual as the individual and his four year-old son attempted to enter a residence on Garden Street.

Greaves grabbed a gold chain from the individual’s neck and ran to a building on Bunker Hill where responding officers discovered him hiding under a stairwell.

Greaves directed the officers to an adjacent abandoned building to reveal the rifle, a .22 cal. DPMS model A-15 with its serial number removed along with a double stack magazine and cartridges.

Greaves faces a minimum sentence of 10 years incarceration, a period of supervised release of not more than three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.

His sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2019.

“It’s too late the islands are flooded with guns that’s the American way,” Kenneth Moolenaar said. “Just because we are an American territory doesn’t mean that we have to adopt all their habits especially the bad and dangerous ones. Remember before we were American citizens. We are St. Thomians. Crucians and St.Johnians. Virgin Islanders with our own Culture. Stop being copy cats and puppets. Be yourself and honor our own Culture. Virgin Islanders Open your Eyes.”

This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.