FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man has been arrested in connection to an armed robbery that netted $300 from Taste of Margarita’s on May 21, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
George Nehemiah John Jr., 19, of Estate Cane Carlton, was arrested at 6:30 a.m. Monday and charged with first-degree robbery, according to the VIPD.
“Mr. John was seen on the business surveillance system as he parked his white sedan outside and entered the establishment,” CIB Chief Detective Lt. Naomi Joseph said. “While inside, he is seen entering the restroom and after he exited the restroom, he approached the bar and shortly after he left.”
“Chief Detective Joseph, further stated Mr. John Jr., was also seen entering his vehicle, driving out of the lot, and parking on the side street across from the restaurant, where three men are seen exiting his vehicle, and running across the street and into the restaurant where they proceeded to rob the business at gunpoint.”
The owner of Taste of Margarita’s Bar and Restaurant told police that three armed males wearing ski masks took $300 from the cash register about 9:15 p.m. on May 21, 2022, according to a probable cause fact sheet filed with the Superior Court.
A customer of Taste of Margarita’s said immediately before the robbery, one male not wearing a mask came in and asked to use the bathroom, the sworn police affidavit states. That same man, who was about 5-feet, 4-inches tall, came out of the bathroom and asked the bartender if they sell Corona beer, and then left the bar area.
“Right after that, three individuals who wore ski masks came in and started shouting: ‘Do not move, or I’ll shoot you,'” the probable cause fact sheet states.
After grabbing the money from the cash register, the three males exited the bar to a waiting white Ford Fiesta that was parked across the street, police said.