Raul Carino, 29, Michael Smith, 20, and R. David Cuencas, 24, were arrested at about 11 a.m. Friday after they allegedly robbed the manager at Francis Metal Works in Frederiksted. All three were charged with first degree robbery, the Police Department indicated in a statement Friday.
According to the police report, the manager of Francis Metal Works told police that he and two other workers just opened the business when they saw three individuals run out of the bushes to the north. The owner said one was armed with a black handgun.
The suspects wore dark clothing and covered their faces with cloth. The armed suspect demanded their money and wallets. They ordered the victims to get on the ground and took their cash, wallets, personal documents, and a cell phone. The suspects then fled the area on foot through the bushes.
Officers were notified of the robbery at about 8:20 a.m. Based on the description of the suspects, police immediately issued an all points bulletin.
At about 8:35 a.m. police spotted a vehicle traveling in Estate Whim with three male occupants fitting the description of the suspects. The suspects were detained for questioning and a black 40- caliber hand gun loaded with 14 live rounds was confiscated from inside the vehicle.
Their bail was set at $75,000 each and they were remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
St. Croix Deputy Chief of Police James Parris said the officers involved in the arrest were outstanding in the performance of their duties. He congratulated them on the swift apprehension of the suspects.
Officers involved in the investigation and apprehension were members of the School Security Bureau, the Frederiksted Bike Unit, the Wilbur Francis Command, and the Commissioner’s Office and included an alert off-duty Criminal Investigation Bureau sergeant.
