FREDERIKSTED – A joint federal territorial law enforcement task force operation code named “Open Faces” arrested three mem on St. Croix today, authorities said.
Luis Noel, Donnie Heywood and Shango Allick Sr. were each arrested on various charges by Criminal Investigation Bureau officers (STX), Special Operations Bureau officers (STX and STT) and “federal agents” who executed search warrants at the suspects’ homes, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Luis Anthony Noel, 19, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, possession of ammunition and discharging or aiming a firearm, according to the VIPD.
VIPD mug shot of Luis Anthony Noel, 19, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Noel’s arrest stems from an incident at Sunny Isles parking lot near the Food Court on January 7, 2025, police said. His bail for that incident was set $100,000.00
Noel was also involved in an incident that occurred at Queen Street in Frederiksted on January 26, 2025, according to police.
For that subsequent incident, Noel was charged with first-degree attempted murder (principal), first-degree assault (principal), third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence (principal), possession of ammunition (principal), discharging or aiming a firearm (principal) and unauthorized possession of firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, police said. His bail for that incident was set at $100,000.00.
VIPD mug shot of Donnie Heywood, 18, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Donnie Heywood, 18, was arrested in connection with the January 7, 2025, shooting at Sunny Isles parking lot near the Food Court, according to police.
Heywood was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, possession of ammunition, and discharging or aiming a firearm, police said. His bail was also set at $100,000.
VIPD mug shot of Shango Allick, Sr. 43, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Meanwhile, during the execution of a search warrant on March 11 at the residence of 43-year-old Shango Allick Sr., marijuana was discovered, leading to his arrest, police said. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to police.
Unable to post bail Luis Noel and Donnie Heywood were remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending their advice-of-rights hearing set for Superior Court in Kingshill tomorrow.
Shango Allick Sr. was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance at the Superior Court in Kingshill tomorrow.
All three suspects were taken to the Rainbow Building in Mars Hill where they were booked and processed.
“During this operation, we saw firsthand the power of agencies working together to combat crime and make our community safer,” Gordon C. Rhea, the Virgin Islands Attorney General, said. “Commissioner Brooks and I are proud of the relentless efforts from our team, the DOJ, and VIPD in successfully coordinating the search and arrest warrants. Together, we are making significant strides toward reducing crime and building a
safer, stronger community for everyone.”
