The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has charged one additional male in relation to the armed robbery at House of Luxury Jewelry Store at Tortola Pier Park in July 2023. Vernon Bernard, 32, of Manuel Reef, was charged with Robbery, Handling Stolen Goods, and Possession of the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct. He will appear before the Magistrate’s Court at the next available sitting.

In July of 2023, the RVIPF responded to reports of an armed robbery at Tortola Pier Park, where two masked men dressed in white entered a prominent business and made off with Jewelry from the showcase. The masked bandits then fired shots into the air while they made their escape; however, no injuries were reported.

Vernon Bernard has been having run-ins with the law for some years now, as far back as 2010, at the young age of 18. In that incident, he was charged with and pleaded guilty to burglary in relation to the Police Station break-in incident.

In 2018, Bernard was charged along with two other persons in the murder of Trumayn ‘Passion’ Daway; however, walked free in April 2022 due to lack of evidence a Judge ruled. 

The RVIPF remains dedicated to solving this case and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery and can provide any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is asked to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339. Alternatively, persons can give this information anonymously to Crimestoppers at 800-8477