CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A masked man robbed an Altona bed & breakfast of $1,120 in cash on St. Thomas late Friday night, authorities said.
The 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched patrol officers, detectives and crime scene technicians to Franko’s Guest House on Altona and Welgunst after a report of an armed robbery came in at 11:13 p.m. Friday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
A preliminary police investigation revealed that the night manager got a telephone call inquiring about the availability of a room from an unknown person. After the call, the manager said he went outside on the porch to see if the person who made the call was there.
“However, after not seeing anyone, the victim stated that he then turned around to go back inside his residence and was immediately confronted at the door by an intruder wearing a dark colored handkerchief around his face,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said. “The victim also stated that the intruder demanded money and he gave him the money in his pocket, which was approximately $120.00.”
But that was not the end of the ordeal for the guest house manager.
“However, the intruder wanted more and pushed him, and he fell to the floor. The victim further stated that he entered his bedroom and the intruder followed and pointed a pistol at him and again demanded more money,” Dratte said. “That fearing for his life he opened the chest of drawers where his cash was kept, and the intruder removed approximately $1,000.00) in cash U.S currency and fled on foot in an unknown direction.”
The victim did not sustain any visible injuries, according to the VIPD.
Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) at (340) 774-2211 ext. 5556 or the anonymous tip line Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.
