ROAD TOWN, Tortola — The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed an armed robbery at a business along Blackburn Highway in Purcell — four days after the incident occurred and after media efforts to obtain official information.

The robbery took place on Friday, September 25, shortly after 9:30 p.m., according to police.

The RVIPF said two masked males, dressed in black, entered the business and demanded cash. One of the suspects was reportedly armed with what appeared to be a handgun.

The men reportedly removed cash from two registers before fleeing the premises. No injuries were reported.

Officers attended the scene and conducted initial enquiries, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or observed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the robbery to come forward.

But the timing of the official communication raises a separate question about the flow of information to the public.

The robbery occurred Friday night. The media sought information and followed up on Saturday morning after informal reports of the incident began circulating. Yet the RVIPF’s official confirmation was not released until Tuesday, September 29 — four days after the robbery.

That delay is particularly notable when the police are now appealing to members of the public for information.

Timely communication from law enforcement is important not only for journalism, but also for public safety. When an incident involving an alleged firearm occurs in a public business, residents have a legitimate interest in knowing what happened and whether there is any ongoing threat.

The RVIPF is urging business owners and members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9512. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers BVI at 800-8477.

All information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.