STJ - armed home invasion - anyone know what happened

ronnbrown · Post by **ronnbrown** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:21 am

Hi

New to the forum - have been reading everything available on St John for about 6 months as we will spend Christmas on the island. I am also considering STJ for buying a Villa for retirement, but was shocked to read an article in St John Tradewinds about a terrifying situation last week.

Can anyone provide an insight into this?

I am not sure if this site allows links - so hope I am not breaking any rules:

http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/ind ... &Itemid=38

Ronn

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:07 am

I read that, and wish I could give that woman a huge hug and a home security system! We were the victims of a robbery and vandalism last year, and I was a mess for months.
So if any of you islanders, know this lady, would you pass this hug on to her?

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:40 am

Horrible situation but it was nice to hear the good words about the way the police handled it.

MrB · Post by **MrB** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:49 am

When we read this last week, first thing that came to mind was that they got the wrong place.

John LMBZ06 · Post by **John LMBZ06** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:24 am

I too thought that something was off on this. They did not take anything. How do you break into someones home and not take anything. Not any jewelry or watches, or anything? That does sound like they got the wrong house.

I have a map of St. John and look at the police reports to see what areas get hit. I am also possibly looking for a retirement place. This is not an area that is prone to any problems that I have seen over the last couple of years.

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:44 am

Read the same report.
I've only been to STJ 9 times without any type of incidents, but of course, this concerns me.
Be sure to contact your villa mgmt.company as far as any safety precautions;ie- knowing where the lightswitches are, windows/doors locking, security bars for the sliding glass doors,etc...
There are also a few battery operated alarms that are inexpensive at your local Home Depot store.(yes, I know where you live...

, been following you for some time now!!!)
Don't get yourself too upset, I'm sure your week on STJ will be wonderful. Common sense helps, just like at home.
I'm honestly more concerned with the scorpion that My Sweet Amy found on my pillow last April. I think it laid eggs in my ear, and they're about to hatch...
Again- don't sweat it! You'll love it!
Smiles-
MJ
P.S.-
My avatar is HUGE

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:01 am

MrB wrote:When we read this last week, first thing that came to mind was that they got the wrong place.

Me too.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:32 am

ronnbrown wrote:I am also considering STJ for buying a Villa for retirement, but was shocked to read an article in St John Tradewinds about a terrifying situation last week.

Can anyone provide an insight into this?

Hi Ron - Personally I wouldn't be any more worried about retiring to St. John because of this incident, than I would be about retiring anywhere else. Crime and break-ins happen EVERYWHERE! Yes, it's shocking, but try living in the Los Angeles area where stuff like this is reported every day of the week. It just seems so much worse on a small island.

As I do at home, when I'm on St. John, I lock my doors and take precautions, but really, think about it, is anyone ever immune from what we call in L.A., a "home invasion"?

bnsilly · Post by **bnsilly** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:15 pm

MrB wrote:When we read this last week, first thing that came to mind was that they got the wrong place.

What does that mean? Do you think they were looking for drugs or something because it seems really strange that they went to the fridge...
Also curious why it took the police an hour to get there..surely they aren't that busy?
We know stuff can happen anywhere, we just hoped that St. John was immune to it...its a shame that crime is everywhere...and the thing that bothers me is that if they come when I'm not home, that is one thing...but to come if we are home, that is another thing. What if young kids were present, etc...They could have been hurt or at the least so upset by it all...

John LMBZ06 · Post by **John LMBZ06** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:29 pm

bnsilly - the reason I think they went to the wrong house was because they did not take anything. It is hard to believe they did what they did and then ended up not taking a thing. I would have at least asked for their wallets and jewelry. Why go to all that trouble and just leave.

Yes, I guess the fridge thing is kind of strange to me. I guess I never thought to hide things there, but some must do that. Why did they not ask them for what they were looking for? An hour sounds extremly long to me.

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:01 pm

There is another possibility:

If I had cash in my freezer and someone came and stole it--I would NEVER say they got $$$ in cash. That would be like inviting more people in ski masks for a late night visit, you know??

GiGi

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:05 pm

It was mentioned that it took the police an hour to get there--maybe it wasn't easy to get to?? Others are more aware of the location and how long it could take the get there.

More alarming to me is that they waited until the NEXT morning to get fingerprints.

GG

P-600 · Post by **P-600** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:24 pm

I just read a poll online recently that said the majority of people store cash in their refrigerator or freezer. I don't know anyone that does this but there is obviously a large group of people that do. Maybe they though they would get lucky. IDK.

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:16 am

P-600 wrote:I just read a poll online recently that said the majority of people store cash in their refrigerator or freezer. I don't know anyone that does this but there is obviously a large group of people that do. Maybe they though they would get lucky. IDK.

COLD hard cash

When my kids were little I would put cash in a diaper--rolled up like it was used--and put it behind the garbage can to make it look like it fell out.

The robbers and not going to go through diapers; I am convinced of that!

Now my kids are teenagers and I don't have any cash or expensive jewelry. I bet the robbers would feel sorry for me and leave me something from my neighbors.

GiGi

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:39 am

Keeping cash in the fridge/freezer is fairly common with the older generation I know. My mom found $$$$ when cleaning out my grandparent's fridge.

Robbers would be v. disappointed at my house, I rarely have more than $10 in my wallet, let alone cash in the house!

usvi-on-line