St. Croix, USVI - On May 9, 2022, Detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into Mr. Hector Bermudez, Jr. The investigation revealed that sometime in April of 2022, while Ariel Petersen Sr., was washing the victim’s vehicle, Petersen Sr. took the victim’s check book from his vehicle, then wrote two checks in the amount of $500.00 each. One check was written out to himself, Ariel Petersen Sr., and the other check was written to an accomplice, without the victim’s permission. Subsequently, both checks were cashed at Moe’s Gas Station, causing the business to suffer a loss of $1,000.00.

Hector Bermudez, Jr.

On December 2, 2022, at approximately 11:02 a.m., detectives of the Virgin Islands Police Department Economic Crimes Unit, executed an Arrest Warrant and placed Mr. Hector Bermudez Jr., age 61, who is the accomplice of Petersen Sr., under arrest at the Banco Popular bank located in Estate Cane, Frederiksted, without incident. Bermudez Jr. was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he subsequently provided a statement admitting to cashing one of the stolen checks. Bermudez Jr. was charged with Forgery, Obtaining Money by False Pretense and Grand Larceny.

Bermudez Jr. was then processed and booked. Bail was set at $20,000.00. Unable to post bail Bermudez Jr. was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an Advice of Rights Hearing scheduled, for Monday, December 5, 2022.

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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.