CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Virgin Islands Police Department Patrol Officers from the Richard N. Callwood Command responded to a call from the 911 Emergency Call Center in reference to a shoplifting incident at the Petrus Plaza on the waterfront on St. Thomas about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Phillip Bradley Allen, 36, of Florida was apprehended by Virgin Islands Police Department Officers. Upon arrival officers encountered the owner of the establishment who told officers that Allen was caught shoplifting, as store security observed his actions.
Allen tried to evade store security personnel but failed to do so. He was detained by store security until VIPD officers arrived on the scene.
Officers proceeded to detain Allen pending further investigation into the shoplifting incident.
A investigation led to officers observing several identification and credit cards belonging to other people on the floor of the business.
“When questioned who the items belonged to the owner of the establishment told officers that they fell out of Allen’s backpack as security tried to restrain him until VIPD arrived,” VIPD spokesman Karl Caesar said.
Further investigation revealed that Allen possessed a driver’s license from the state of Florida.
Officers made contact via the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) who relayed to officers that Allen was wanted in Florida for several burglary charges.
He was transported to the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex. Miami Dade Police Department indicated that they wanted to pursue the charges against Allen.
He was processed and turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advice of Rights Hearing.
Anyone having any information about this incident or any other crime please contact the Virgin Islands Police Department at (340) 774-2211 ext. 5579 or the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 714-9807. You can also contact the anonymous tip line Crime Stoppers USVI at 1(800)222-8477 or 911.