Sonya’s in C’sted Robbed by Man with Machete
A.J. Pike
St. Croix - Sonya’s Fine Island Jewelry was robbed on Thursday afternoon, at around 2:30 pm, on October 1, 2026, by a man who was wielding a machete at employees inside of the ever-popular retail shop. The suspect was arrested by the VIPD Special Operations Bureau within hours of his crime in Mount Welcome.
Multiple calls were made to the 911 Emergency Call Center reporting an incident at the jewelry store, which prompted an immediate response by the VIPD.
The robber apparently entered the shop and then pulled out a machete and threatened employees. He demanded and received a large amount of jewelry, cash from the register and the personal belongings of the terrified employees.
VIPD immediately began searching the area and a Special Operations Bureau team located the suspect in an abandoned structure on Mount Welcome Road. The team subsequently arrested the man, identified as 47-year old Andrew Joseph at a little after 4 pm. They recovered all the stolen jewelry along with the other stolen items, including cell phones and laptops.
The swift arrest comes amid VIPD’s 90-day crime surge initiative, under which law-enforcement resources have been intensified in response to robberies, burglaries, shootings, home invasions and other serious crime in the area. VIPD Commissioner Mario Brooks has stated the stepped up enforcement effort will be maintained through the Crucian Christmas season and longer if necessary. The VIPD initiative includes surge and saturated patrols as well as the deployment of special operations teams like the one that apprehended Mr. Joseph.
Mr. Joseph was charged with First-Degree Robbery, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon during the commission of a crime of violence, First-Degree Assault, Third-Degree Assault, Grand Larceny, and Destruction of Property.
His bail was set at $75,000.
Mr. Joseph was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was booked, and unable to post bail, he was subsequently taken to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility. His Advice of Rights Hearing is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Superior Court in Kingshill.
