VIPD Community Service Officer Among Two Arrested for Frederiksted Robbery
ARRESTED: George Richards III, 18 (left), and VIPD Community Service Officer T-ssadiq Joseph, 20 (right), were arrested and charged with second-degree robbery and grand larceny in connection with a Sunday night incident at Rainbow Beach in Frederiksted. (Photo: VIPD)
By St. Croix Sun Staff
FREDERIKSTED — Two young men are behind bars following a Sunday night robbery near a popular St. Croix beach, including an employee of the very department tasked with upholding the law.
The Virgin Islands Police Department reported that the incident occurred around 8:34 p.m. on April 5, 2026, in the vicinity of Rainbow Beach in Prosperity. Responding officers arrived to find a detective had already detained one of the suspects, identified as 20-year-old T-ssadiq Joseph.
ARRESTED: George Richards III, 18, was arrested on April 5, 2026, following a robbery in the vicinity of Rainbow Beach in Frederiksted. Richards faces charges of second-degree robbery and grand larceny. (Photo: VIPD)
Following an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau, it was revealed that Joseph and 18-year-old George Richards III forcefully took a chain from a victim. Both men were positively identified and arrested on charges of second-degree robbery and grand larceny.
The arrest has drawn sharp condemnation from police leadership, as Joseph served the department as a Community Service Officer.
"The Virgin Islands Police Department will not tolerate conduct that violates the standards, values, and ethical obligations expected of those who serve our community," Assistant Commissioner Sean Santos said in a statement. "The alleged actions of Mr. T-Ssadiq Joseph do not reflect the character or professionalism of this Department."
CHARGED: T-ssadiq Joseph, 20, a VIPD Community Service Officer, is charged with second-degree robbery and grand larceny. VIPD leadership stated that Joseph’s alleged actions "do not reflect the character or professionalism" of the department. (Photo: VIPD)
Richards and Joseph were unable to post the $50,000 bail set for each and were remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility. They are scheduled for an Advice of Rights hearing on April 7, 2026, at the Superior Court.
CRIME WATCH
Suspects: George Richards III (18) and T-ssadiq Joseph (20).
Charges: Robbery in the Second Degree; Grand Larceny.
Location: Vicinity of Rainbow Beach, Prosperity, Frederiksted.
Status: Remanded to John Bell Correctional Facility.
