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ST. CROIX - A 23-year-old man with a history of gun charges and two pending firearms possession charges has been arrested again, this time in connection with an armed robbery in December.
Ramon Cruz, of William's Delight, was arrested Monday and appeared before Magistrate Judge Jessica Gallivan on Tuesday to be advised of his rights on charges of first-degree robbery; possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime; and third-degree assault.
A man reported on Dec. 9 that he was sitting near the Ann Heyliger Vegetable Market on Queen Street in Frederiksted when he was approached, by a man, now identified as Cruz, and another man, who were in a gold Toyota Corolla, according to the police report filed in V.I. Superior Court.
The victim said the men circled the block, and when they came back around, they approached him and stood on either side of him.
He said one man asked him what he had in his pockets, and the second man patted him down, searching him for valuables. The victim said he told the men that all he had was a cigarette and 50 cents to buy a coffee.
The victim said that after the men searched him and found nothing of value, one of the men hit him in his face two times with a black and chrome handgun. The victim was treated at Luis Hospital for injuries that included a broken nose.
Police investigating the robbery said they were on patrol in the Frederiksted area when they saw the gold Corolla and then saw Cruz near the beachfront area of Marley Homes housing community.
Police said Cruz began acting suspiciously when he saw the police cruiser and began walking away from them. Officers ordered him to stop and come back toward them, according to police.
Cruz stopped and put his hand in his right front pocket, and when he was ordered to take his hands out, he pulled out a handgun and dropped it off of a railing and into the sand below, according to the police report.
Officers retrieved the 9 mm handgun, and Cruz was arrested.
He was not initially charged with the robbery at that time, only with the unauthorized possession of a firearm in December. Police said the victim has been able to identify Cruz as one of his assailants and pointed him out in a photo array as one of the two men that robbed him.
Monday marked the eighth time Cruz has been arrested in the last six years, beginning in 2006. He has been charged with tampering with a vehicle; robbery; grand larceny; possession of stolen property; and first-degree murder in connection with a 2007 stabbing in the Festival Village when he was 17. All of those cases had been dismissed.
A misdemeanor assault charge from 2010, and a firearm charge and a felony assault charge from 2011 were consolidated and dismissed when he was allowed to plead guilty to aggravated assault and battery and sentenced to the time he already had served in prison. He still has the two gun possession charges and the robbery charge pending.
On Tuesday, Gallivan approved a motion by the V.I. Public Defender's Office seeking Cruz's release on the latest charge.
In December, Gallivan allowed Cruz's release after he posted 10 percent of the $25,000 bail and placed him on 24-hour house arrest with the use of an electronic monitor. She allowed his release on the same conditions in the new case. He had to post 10 percent of the bail, which had been set at $25,000.
I've been to the islands twice in the past year( St. Thomas then St. Croix). I've read everything I can find. I really loved St. Croix and would move there in a min. , but lately all I can find are stories like this one. Why are these criminals continuously released with only an ankle bracelet when their crime deserves more? Nothing has been done to the 5 that beat an elderly man and then he died. Still nothing done. Are the criminals kin to law enforcement, senators, or judges? Seems the slaps on the wrists aren't working. Guess I'm just looking for others opinions or solution suggestions.
Posted : January 25, 2013 12:46 am
Great questions.
Posted : January 25, 2013 12:54 am
The STT jail and STX prison are overcrowded.
Posted : January 25, 2013 3:48 am
Violent crimes need harsher treatment, this individual seems to fall squarely under the label of "repeat offender" , if the prison system is overloaded I wonder if they could start sending individuals to Florida?
If the laws aren't enforced, why have them?
Posted : January 25, 2013 6:26 am
They already do send prisoners to Florida.
Sorry to sound so flat.
Posted : January 25, 2013 9:35 am
You should be reading the Open Forum on www.cruciansinfocus.com if you really want to know whats happening in our prison.
Posted : January 25, 2013 12:21 pm
Topic starter
The crime and reading about how the senate there handles the money, are 2 of my concerns for moving there. How do you (the ones that live there) deal with this? It has to be frustrating. To me St. Croix was very beautiful and I really want to live there but I don't want to have to live looking over my shoulder all the time. You have a beautiful island full of so much potential and it seems the government doesn't see this or want to make any serious changes to put the VI as a whole back on the right track. ie punishment to fit the crime , transparency in gov., get the tourism back. @vicanuck I will add that to my reading list thanks
Posted : January 25, 2013 2:53 pm
maybe the crooks are all relatives of the police or senators? Another person mugged on the boardwalk on Wednesday.
Posted : January 25, 2013 5:04 pm
Topic starter
There has to be a reason the criminals aren't being caught or punished. Maybe the criminals know who NOT to mess with. If a judge's, legislator, or policeman's family member gets mugged or killed then more effort will be taken.
Posted : January 25, 2013 8:44 pm
There has to be a reason the criminals aren't being caught or punished. Maybe the criminals know who NOT to mess with. If a judge's, legislator, or policeman's family member gets mugged or killed then more effort will be taken.
Well...
A Taser
http://www.amazon.com/Knuckle-Blaster-Stun-Gun-Joggers/dp/B005NTAEJK
and
Zip ties
then a cell phone, and a short wait,, these criminals would get "caught" a lot faster
once I get established on island I'll offer self defense classes to anyone that is interested.
Posted : January 25, 2013 8:55 pm
Topic starter
Hope the taser packs more punch than the glove did on Invention USA.
Posted : January 25, 2013 9:34 pm
Hope the taser packs more punch than the glove did on Invention USA.
950,000 volts 😉
as a part of my traning I've been hit with OC spray (aka pepper spray) and tasered. I was only tasered with 500,000 volts for 3 seconds and I ended up on the floor in a high amount of discomfort not really knowing how I got there.
I haven't tested these out ( I have 2) but I imagine they'll work very well for self defense.
Posted : January 25, 2013 11:37 pm
There has to be a reason the criminals aren't being caught or punished.
In my opinion there is no ONE reason.
There is definitely an us v. them attitude here. I don't think that there is enough public outrage to motivate the police/government. (many tourrist based business want to pretend that violent crime in the VI is "jut like everywhere else". This complacent attitude provides the cops/DAs with plenty of excuses for inaction. Also the territory provides ZERO protection for witnesses. People are very afraid to cooperate with authorities (for good reason). Alot of these crimes occur in very public places. Only about 20% of murders ever result in arrests.
When the 14 girl crusie ship passenger was killed in Smith Bay by gang cross fire, the shooter was "caught" the next day. The bad "boys" who shot the cops this summer were also caught. If you commit a crime which is covered by the national press, then you have better chance of getting caught.
Posted : January 26, 2013 12:22 am
Zip ties
once I get established on island I'll offer self defense classes to anyone that is interested.
Wait. Aren't the dude's hand supposed to be behind his back?
Here some self defense advice:
Don't act like a victim:
Don't walk around distracted: talking on the phone, TEXTING!, rummaging around in your bag.
Don't wear heavy/expensive jewelry.
Don't drive an expensive flashy car.
Don't get overly intoxicated.
Don't 'pick-up" strangers.
Don't tell strangers where you live,
Don't brag about your new flat screen / ak47.
Get a dog.
Install motion lights.
ALWAYS have someone walk you to your car at night or in isolated alleys (even if dude--safty in numbers)
If you are male of working age (16-60) your chance of becoming a victin in the VI is high. Keep your eyes peeled.
If you work in cash based business your chance of becoming a victin in the VI is high. Keep your eyes peeled.
If a situation feels "not right" get out, pronto. Trust your instinitcs.
ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.
Have an action plan.
If your are being attacked, robbed, home invaded, carjacked, witnessing a crime and have time try to dial 911 and leave the line open. Be Aware of who is in your rearview.
If your are being shot at, run (fast). try to cover your head. If you are shot, don't freak out. Stop bleeding with presure.
Posted : January 26, 2013 1:14 am
Wait. Aren't the dude's hand supposed to be behind his back?
Here some self defense advice:
Don't act like a victim:
Don't walk around distracted: talking on the phone, TEXTING!, rummaging around in your bag.
Don't wear heavy/expensive jewelry.
Don't drive an expensive flashy car.
Don't get overly intoxicated.
Don't 'pick-up" strangers.
Don't tell strangers where you live,
Don't brag about your new flat screen / ak47.
Get a dog.
Install motion lights.
ALWAYS have someone walk you to your car at night or in isolated alleys (even if dude--safty in numbers)
If you are male of working age (16-60) your chance of becoming a victin in the VI is high. Keep your eyes peeled.
If you work in cash based business your chance of becoming a victin in the VI is high. Keep your eyes peeled.
If a situation feels "not right" get out, pronto. Trust your instinitcs.
ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.
Have an action plan.
If your are being attacked, robbed, home invaded, carjacked, witnessing a crime and have time try to dial 911 and leave the line open. Be Aware of who is in your rearview.
If your are being shot at, run (fast). try to cover your head. If you are shot, don't freak out. Stop bleeding with presure.
Excellent advise! & good observation, yes behind the back is best 🙂
I probably won't continue my breeding hobby while on the island, but as I am deeply familiar with this breed and the concept of family guardians ill suggest a South African Boerboel for a dog (my web site is http://www.northlandboerboels.com/ ) ill be bringing 3 with me & shall sleep very well at night 🙂
The breed is an amazing one; I highly suggest it for anyone interested & can point you to a reputable breeder or answer any questions you might have
Posted : January 26, 2013 1:38 am
Topic starter
"I don't think that there is enough public outrage to motivate the police/government." I think I got my answer.
Posted : January 26, 2013 2:18 am
So as private citizens what can we do? Talk to the police. That dint work I was chatting with one and his answer was "its up to the citizens not to be alone" Well soemtimes we are. Letters to the Senators/Govenor? Dont think it will help. I love my adopted home and dont want to see the productive citizens run off and leave due to scumbags mugging folks on the boardwalk. I want to see STX shine!
Posted : January 26, 2013 2:07 pm
Topic starter
Not be alone? Didn't they take an oath to PROTECT and SERVE the citizens not just themselves?
Posted : January 26, 2013 2:41 pm
The STT jail and STX prison are overcrowded.
that depends on who you talk to. the head of crime stoppers claims the stx prison is NOT overcrowded.
Posted : January 26, 2013 4:03 pm
I guess our Judges do not use the 3 strikes and you're out rule for repeat offenders, here.
What's up with that? Not enough room at the criminal college (jail)?
Like that Taser!(tu)
Posted : January 26, 2013 4:53 pm
So as private citizens what can we do? Talk to the police. That dint work I was chatting with one and his answer was "its up to the citizens not to be alone" Well soemtimes we are. Letters to the Senators/Govenor? Dont think it will help. I love my adopted home and dont want to see the productive citizens run off and leave due to scumbags mugging folks on the boardwalk. I want to see STX shine!
as long as there are easy victims there will be willing predators, become a "hard target".
not being alone is one big step, but as you said it's not always possible, Blu4u has an excellent list of suggestions above & I would add personal self defense lessons to that list, or a nice taser & some zip ties 😉
if a few robberies go bad for the robber (and there is MEDIA ATTENTION, which we can work on) word will get out that the easy fish have dried up and you won't be seen as a bunch of wallets walking around waiting to get robbed.
A Public Presence of "crime watch" or "citizen protectors" (capable individuals wearing shirts that state just that on them, being visible and in area's that are high risk) does a lot to deter crime as well.
Police aren't working for you, time to work for your self 😉
Posted : January 27, 2013 3:18 am
Guardian Angels?
Posted : January 27, 2013 3:35 am
they had the guardian angels at one time, not sure why they left though
Posted : January 27, 2013 11:58 am
Guardian Angels?
Haven't heard of that, ill look into it, thanks 🙂
Posted : January 28, 2013 5:08 am
