March 24, 2003 – The new owner of a long-standing restaurant in Frederiksted is being held on $100,000 bond for writing bad checks to several local businesses.
Victor Lopez, 22, of 53 Prince Street, Frederiksted, was arrested Sunday and charged with drawing and delivering worthless checks and obtaining money under false pretenses.
Lopez, who co-owns the "The Saloon" on the waterfront in Frederiksted, is wanted in three states – Florida, Illinois and California – on similar charges, according to Elton Lewis, acting Police commissioner.
The V.I. Police Department's public information officer, Sgt. Thomas Hannah, said the Insular Investigation Bureau, a special division that deals with white-collar crime, launched an investigation into the matter March 19, after several businesses complained of receiving bad checks.
Lopez allegedly wrote more than $20,000 worth of bad checks, Hannah said.
Lewis reiterated in a news statement that the Police Department "needs the cooperation of businesses and the community to resolve criminal activities that are plaguing the territory."
Anyone with information that can assist in the investigation of the case is asked to contact the Insular Investigation Bureau at 778-1001 or call 911.
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