John McCarthy
By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
Busted on Surveillance Camera
CHARLOTTE AMALEI — A retired police officer took matters into his own hands early Friday morning after catching two men attempting to break into parked vehicles in Estate Thomas, detaining one of the suspects until responding officers arrived, according to court documents.
Malik Thompson, 28, was arrested on August 7, 2026, and charged with damaging a vehicle after the owner of a damaged safari taxi executed a citizen’s arrest against him.
Retired Officer Makes Citizen’s Arrest
According to a probable cause fact sheet filed by V.I. Police Officer Felipe Pereira, 911 received an emergency call around 5:10 a.m. from retired police officer Ivan Hobson. Hobson reported that he had personally detained a suspect involved in an attempted vehicle break-in, though a second male accomplice had managed to flee the scene before police arrived.
Responding officers inspected the area and discovered a white 2015 Ford F-350 Safari Taxi with a shattered windshield. Investigators found a screwdriver resting on the right wiper blade and a pair of pliers on the ground next to the driver’s side door.
Hobson provided officers with live cell phone surveillance footage from his home security cameras. The video showed Thompson standing on the driver’s side of the taxi while his unidentified accomplice stood on the passenger’s side throwing an object at the windshield.
BB Gun Found Hidden in Suspect’s Pants
The vehicle’s owner, Andrea Colon, told police she had locked and secured her taxi around 9:00 p.m. the previous evening with the windshield fully intact. After viewing the damage, Colon formally executed a citizen’s arrest against Thompson for the property destruction and attempted larceny.
During a search incident to arrest, Officer Simba Abiff recovered an unmarked, un-serialed BB pistol hidden near Thompson’s left leg area. The replica firearm, along with the screwdriver and pliers, was collected as evidence by Forensic Technician Debra Mahoney.
Thompson was transported to the Alexander A. Farrelly Justice Center for booking. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advice of Rights hearing in Superior Court.
Space Exploration Technologies might be putting Starlink satellites in orbit, but low-tech neighborhood surveillance cameras and a watchful retired officer still remain the ultimate deterrent on St. Thomas.
