Man steals rescue vehicle for joyride, but is caught red-handed in it, cops say

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A man accused of stealing a rescue vehicle and taking it on a joyride in St. Thomas has been jailed.

Janijah Benjamin, 36, was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.

The case began when officers responded to a report of a recovered stolen vehicle on Polyberg Hill at 8:36 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, according to the VIPD.

Investigation revealed that a gray Toyota, was taken without permission after being parked at the St. Thomas Rescue staging lot on October 29, 2025, police said.

Janijah Benjamin was positively identified as the person seen in possession of the vehicle, according to police.

“The victim confirmed he never gave Benjamin permission to use the vehicle,” VIPD spokeswoman Kishma Chichester said.

Benjamin was apprehended and transported to the Richard Callwood Command where he was booked and processed.

His bail was set at $25,000.00. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections at the St. Thomas jail.

Benjamin is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing in Superior Court on St. Thomas.