St. Thomas Man Charged with Robbery of a Jewelry Store

St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced that a complaint has been filed charging Jamari Benjamin with interference with commerce by threats or violence and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to the affidavit filed in this case, on Saturday, September 19, 2020, a white Suzuki Vitara arrived in the area of Gems & Gold Corner jewelry store located on the waterfront near Veteran’s Drive, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Two men wearing masks, got out of the white Suzuki Vitara with firearms and entered Gems & Gold Corner jewelry store. A third person remained with the vehicle as the driver. The two masked men brandished the firearms and threatened the jewelry store employees and others. One of the masked men physically assaulted a jewelry store employee using the firearm, striking the employee’s head. The two masked men broke the jewelry showcases and took jewelry from the store. They then retreated from the jewelry store, got back into the white Suzuki Vitara, and were driven away from the area of the jewelry store by the same driver. The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) initiated an investigation into the robbery, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and developing sources of information to provide investigative leads. This led VIPD to interview Jamari Benjamin, who admitted to participating in the robbery.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan Albino.

A complaint is merely a charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.