CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas teenager who kept a rental car past its return date and used it to steal items from a Smith Bay home was arrested by police, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched to Smith Bay, St. Thomas after a burglary was reported on Tuesday.
Police arrived and interviewed the complainant who reported that he left his residence at 2:52 p.m., to run some errands, and upon his return at around 4:45 p.m., he discovered that his residence had been burglarized, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The complainant stated that when he approached the front southern door of his residence, he was able to enter his residence without having to turn the doorknob and use his keys, according to the VIPD.
During the investigation, detectives were able to secure surveillance footage on a nearby camera and observed a dark brown Kia Forte in the driveway of the residence, police said.
On April 8, 2022, at around 4:00 p.m. officers found a Kia Forte matching the description and the vehicle was identified as a rental vehicle. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was rented by Savianna Charles on April 1, 2022, to be returned on April 2, 2022, which she failed to return, according to police.
On April 8, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. the Kia Forte was stopped, and there were two people in the vehicle.
Officers confirmed that the vehicle was rented by Savianna Charles who was present and on scene.
An inventory search revealed several items were found in the vehicle that were removed from the complainant’s residence. All items collected were identified by the owner of the property.
Savianna Charles, 18, was arrested Thursday and charged with third-degree burglary, possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree burglary and destruction of property, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Bail for Charles was set at $25,000. Unable to post bail, she was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.