Robberies Continue on STX: Yum Yum and Bistro Hit Again

A.J. Pike

St. Croix - Two armed masked gunmen robbed a female employee at Yum Yum Restaurant in Peter’s Rest just after midnight on Saturday September 12, 2026, keeping her at gunpoint while emptying the cash register and fleeing the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.  

The female employee was unable to provide a description of the masked men or of the vehicle they used to flee. She was not injured in the robbery. 

This was not the first time Yum Yum has been robbed. Detectives from the VIPD Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) responded to the crime scene and met with the employee as part of their investigation. No additional information was provided about the suspects or the circumstances surrounding the robbery.

On Monday September 14, 2026, just before 6:00 am, The ever-popular The Bistro Coffee and Eatery in Gallows Bay was robbed for the fifth time this year. On each occasion the floor-to-ceiling glass windows were busted in along with the front door security glass in order for the thieves to gain entry. 

Subsequently, with each break-in, twice in one week, the establishment had to board up the openings left by the criminals and replace the glass windows and doors, which are extremely expensive to replace.

Cameras outside the establishment and inside the restaurant recorded two young men who appeared to be repeat offenders of the perpetual robberies. 

VIPD Detectives spoke to one of the managers on the scene. There were questions raised about the possibility of repeat offenders performing the crimes; and questions as to why the restaurant has been continually targeted even though there is never any money left in the establishment overnight. 

The recent string of robberies comes at a time when SNAP benefits have been cut-off, by the Trump Administration, from thousands of families throughout the USVI. 

On September 3, 2026, Deputy Chief of Police for the St. Croix District, Naomi Joseph stated at a briefing that two brothers had been arrested in connection to the recent string of robberies at commercial establishments in Christiansted and Frederiksted throughout St. Croix. There was no mention as to whether the two brothers were out on bail.          

The Deputy Chief called on residents and shop owners to aid in the apprehension of these criminals by providing any information or video footage that is available that would help in building solid cases that would provide longer sentences against the perpetrators. 

Contact 911, or the Burglary Unit at 340-712-6092 or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) with any pertinent information.