Police Arrest Dangerous Suspect

St. Croix, USVI - Police arrested Hector Luis Mercado also known as Jesus Rivera Carmona Saturday, March 23, at around 2:30 a.m. following a foot chase through the bushes on the east end of St. Croix by police officers. Mercado was in violation of his parole, according to police. He was arrested and placed in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.

Last week Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives appealed to the public to be on the look out for Mercado who was considered to be armed and dangerous. Mercado was wanted for a string of armed robberies in various parts of St. Croix. During that time, residents called in with several sightings of Mercado, however on Saturday it was an off duty police officer who spotted Mercado near the Divi Carina Hotel and Resort and led the chase to his capture.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives thank those residents who called the emergency police number and stayed vigilant until Mercado’s capture.

Commissioner James H. McCall said Monday, “This in another example of residents participating in the safety of community.” He also commended the officers for recognizing this suspect and capturing him without harm to the themselves, bystanders or the suspect.