CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix man who allegedly stole a check from a cancer charity to pay for his own personal printing job has been placed under arrest, authorities said.
Noel Chaparro, 33, surrendered to detectives with the VIPD Economic Crimes Unit at 9:25 a.m. Thursday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Chaparro was served with a warrant for his arrest at that time and charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery and grand larceny, according to the VIPD.
“On January 13, 2021, Detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation that revealed on December 23, 2020, Noel Chaparro stole a check belonging to Ribbons for A Cure, which was written out to the order of WSTX,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said. “He then added his name on the check, then used the check to pay House of Printings for items he purchased.”
The comments on social media today about Chaparro’s arrest were not particularly kind or constructive.
“Wow really rastaman go and plant some some we’d and sell with ur nonsense,” Jeffrey Winston said on Facebook.
“I tell u them vegas dangerous on St. Croix meh-son.” Jorge Acevedo said.
Bail for Chaparro was set at $20,000.00. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing scheduled for today.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.