St. Croix, USVI - On August 9, 2023, detectives from the Economic Crime Unit initiated an investigation into the above-mentioned individuals. The investigation revealed that Luis Arias Alvarez and Daymarie Roque-Guerrero were part of an online scheme via the Retiro Movil Platform. On several different occasions Alvarez and Roque-Guerrero were observed on Banco Popular surveillance cameras using Retiro Movil Platform at the Banco Popular ATM machines in Orange Grove, Sunshine Mall and the Sunny Isles Branches where they were able to gain access to the Mi Banco Online platform and were able to withdraw funds from the ATM machine from accounts that belonged to Banco Popular customers, without the individuals permission, causing Banco Popular a loss totaling $71,000.00.

Luis Arias Alvarez

On August 11, 2023, at approximately 3:55 p.m., Detectives from the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crime Unit received a tip that Alvarez was pacing around the area of Banco Popular, Orange Grove Branch, then left the area and was walking towards Pueblo Golden Rock. Subsequently, Alvarez was then detained and transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station and was placed under arrest, without incident. Roque-Guerrero was picked up at her residence and also transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station and placed under arrest, without incident. Both suspects were charged with Grand Larceny, Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, Identity Theft, and Access to Computer for Fraudulent Purposes.

Daymarie Roque-Guerrero

Alvarez and Roque-Guerrero were booked and processed at the Wilbur H. Francis Police Operation Building in Frederiksted. Bail was set at $20,000.00, for the alleged crimes. Unable to post bail Alvarez was remanded to John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility, pending his Advise of Rights Hearing scheduled, for Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Superior Court. Rogue-Guerrero was released on a ten percent bond in the amount of $2,005.00 which was set and granted by the Honorable Judge Alphonso G. Andrews, pending her Advise of Rights Hearing scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Superior Court.

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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.