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Looters damaged what Hurricane Irma spared - Business owners

- Businesses coping following losses to hurricane Irma & looting
Vanterpool Enterprise was looted following the passage of Hurricane Irma but stated that they are doing fairly well. Photo: VINO
A store located next to People's Shoes store was observed being looted following the passage of hurricane Irma. Photo:VINO/File
A store located next to People's Shoes store was observed being looted following the passage of hurricane Irma. Photo:VINO/File
Vanterpool Plaza in Road Town two days after Hurricane Irma struck the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
Vanterpool Plaza in Road Town two days after Hurricane Irma struck the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
Already ravaged by Hurricane Irma, looters also allegedly entered Bolo's In Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO
Already ravaged by Hurricane Irma, looters also allegedly entered Bolo's In Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO
Police presence at Scotiabank in Road Town on September 8, 2017. Photo: VINO
Police presence at Scotiabank in Road Town on September 8, 2017. Photo: VINO
The entrance of Infinite Solutions, owned by Bishop John I. Cline that was destroyed by looters following the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
The entrance of Infinite Solutions, owned by Bishop John I. Cline that was destroyed by looters following the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The following days after Hurricane Irma caused total destruction to the territory, some persons saw this as an opportunity to loot whatever they could from stores and other places of business.

Businesses that were not damaged by the hurricane were deliberately broken into by unscrupulous individuals looting everything they could get their hands on.

There are many stories of some businesses left virtually untouched by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 only for looters to gain entry the following days after by breaking down doors, smashing windows and even going through walls before making off with goods.

There are even reports of business owners being on site at the time of their business being looted but could only look on as the perpetrators, some armed with machetes, raided.

According to reports, looters had entered a bakery in Road Town when the business owner was there and calmly told him that it was necessary to take what was there since a hurricane had just passed.

There are also reports of a woman loading her vehicle with looted goods and deciding to go back in the store for more items when someone drove off with her vehicle and goods.

Many looters went for food, clothes, medicine and beverages while some were interested in cologne, electronics, jewellery, home appliances and alcohol.

"Most damages were done by looters"- John I. Cline

In an exclusive interview with Bishop John I. Cline, owner of Infinite Solutions, he stated that damages to his business were not caused by hurricane Irma but by looters.

"Most of the damage came from being broken by the looters," while adding that it was a security guard that informed him that his business was being looted.

Bishop Cline disclosed to our news reporter that his business lost approximately $50,000 worth of products and in damages as well.

Infinite Solutions, located in Jayla Place, Road Town, is open for regular operations from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

"We are doing okay"- Vanterpool Enterprise

Vanterpool Enterprise was among the businesses looted after hurricane Irma. Damages to the building were caused by the hurricane and persons decided to help themselves with items from the store.

Speaking with a representative from Vanterpool Enterprise who wished to remain anonymous, they stated that the business is doing fairly well since the incident.

"We are doing okay. Right now the pharmacy is fully operational but we do not have an official open date," adding that they are trying to get items to restock.

Vanterpool Enterprise's hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Mondays to Saturdays.

Customers can contact Vanterpool Enterprise at 284-494-2702 or email at vanterpool@surfbvi.com.

Among the many other Tortola businesses that suffered at the hands of looters were RiteWay in Prospect Reef and Nanny Cay, Arawak's also in Nanny Cay, International Motors, Mi Amor, Bolo's Variety Store and Said's Department Store.

Police have since arrested and charged a few persons for looting and are appealing to the public for information to to help bring others to justice.

18 Responses to “Looters damaged what Hurricane Irma spared - Business owners”

  • To the Female looter (25/10/2017, 13:32) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope now you have a better understand of what Karma felt like. You filled your vehicle with stolen goods, greed got the best of you, you go back to take more stuff and someone did the same thing back to you within seconds. Bet you felt like a real fool hah. LMAO.
  • Well Well (25/10/2017, 14:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    A lot of people is walking around Tortola flashing jewelry and wearing expensive perfumes from BOLO's that they stole.
    • Exactly (26/10/2017, 09:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Well Well, some of them was even selling the looted stuff. Shame, Shame.
  • Wendy (25/10/2017, 14:39) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
    The loss will be absorbed by consumers. So give thanks to the looters . And who were they.? Who are these our enemies thwarting the economy and quality of our lives . Are they the Filipinos,Caucasians, Arabs in the mix to be deported and their visas and passports scrutinized with a special lense upon entry? Who are the threat to our economic future, our security to the extent of special armed security from yonder and a curfew? Who makes the BVI shame and jaundiced to locals and the world at large even when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. Some folks are just not lovable. Barely tolerable but just not lovable. They never disappoint.
    Build and rebuild we must but with quality materal. Seize the opportunity for a better BVI.
    • @wendy (25/10/2017, 20:05) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Did you read what you posted before you hit submit? Put this comment down into laymen terms so we can understand that your either a bigot/racist or an advocate to have laws in affect to not only weed out the bad seeds entering this country and actually punish the true local that commits a crime and gets off because his/her last name or who they're sleeping with?
    • The brave (25/10/2017, 21:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wendy you talking cart .
  • Anegada.. (25/10/2017, 16:24) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    We had to leave Anegada for the hurricane.
    The day after Irma.. we were driving by and saw the looting by vanterpool. Very hurtful to how some humans act.... I was so mad but what can I do.. Irma really show some people true colors..
    People should drop on their knees and give thanks for life..
  • ???? (25/10/2017, 19:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I still find it difficult to comprehend why this awful behavior was allowed to happen.
    Why was there so many people out on the streets. Where was the law enforcers.
    Our government should have put some many things in place at least the morning prio to the storm and al least two days after. They failed us . Agree with one of the proprietor of a pier park store.
    I am a business owner, now was, who I learned had minimal damage from the storm but was vandalized and looted. I wish the looters well. Hope they enjoy wearing the apparel and using everything else that was taken.
  • upset (25/10/2017, 20:26) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next time I guarantee that it will be diffrent
    One should not expect to benefit to freely benefit from the sweat of others. They will be violently dealt with on site the next time. Giving them for community service is insulting. Those who are not from here should be DEPORTED
  • Jimmy smith (25/10/2017, 21:28) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    This free advice to all businesses that were looted after the hurricane Irma , please get together and bring a class action suit against first the government, the Peir Park and Port Authority for failing to adequately protect your place of business. The police and the entire government system fell down on the job. It is also my opinion that Ms. Dabreo needs to move she do not have a clue and has been able to get away with one blunder after another. To make matters worst the appointed the least experienced permanent secretary to lead the recovery its now 55 days since the hurricane Irma and Maria please let me know what is the government plan
    • @Jimmy Smith.. (26/10/2017, 01:19) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Add landlord to your list.. Those that make no effort to secure their property and their tenants inspite all the warnings.. That Ms Dabreo need to be gone a long time.. Along With Abraham..Failures.. "They say if you are liked you don't have to perform You will keep your Job while hard working performers get kicked out" Get the boss to like you and yiu can sleep on the job and you don't have to worry.
    • Hmmmm (26/10/2017, 06:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

      The last time I checked Ms. Dabrei was not in charge of the RVIPF. That is under the Governor but wait they were out looting too.
      I agree the most inexperienced PS who thinks he knows everything is leading the charge but he is only part of the problem. Let's rewind the mismanagement of funds by this administration:

      1) claiming the country broke to get VIP out and build a parking lot in front the hospital days after being elected.

      2) a cruise pier debacle that should have costed 60M for three phases and we got two phases for 80M plus as the verdict is still out on the ending balance and he same mi....... who rape the country walking around like a peacock without NO ramifications for his actions.

      3) payment to an airline that had already owed the gov't over 150k and was in bankruptcy. This educated govt. Still turn around and gave them 7million of tax payers money as their friends and family have private interest in the same said company.a

      4) expensive retaining wall for high school when the school didn't have money for even toilet paper but the minister still expected people to adopt schools.

      5) creating a beach by destroying the environment when you're the minister for the subject and have tax payers pay for it. Sand, beach and money gone when a blind man with wooden glasses could see it didn't make common sense.

      6) The same one for the beach used tax payers money for studies bout going to pay for runway extension when the plane the government wanted to use landed on the tarmac several times mind you.

      I could go on and on but what's the point. Educated fools who fail to plan so they as.leaders planned to fail.
      They make he decisions and for the past 6 years they have done a POOR @$$ job of it. They just need to go fly a kite and leave

  • @ MR Jimmy (25/10/2017, 22:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it the Gov responsibility to protect your business from being broken into? News to me!
    But I would say that it is the Gov which has created a predictable demographic group predispose to committing this type of crime in the BVI. We saw the stolen goods in the airports and the docks as they were being whisked to their predictable destinations. We witnessed them being confiscated by a police force who knew just where to follow up. So yeah let's give the lawsuit a try. Let Gov know that it is a new and a lesser BVI that has been created and they need to stop their foolishness in this regard.
  • @Jimmy Smith. Truth that. (26/10/2017, 01:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Say no more. I'm with you.
  • voter (26/10/2017, 08:07) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not one mention of thoes who looted the treasury but not in jail
  • wize up (26/10/2017, 09:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes and some of those thriving documented workers still right in our territory and stolen items in there country(that's wrong)
  • OF Course (26/10/2017, 12:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, a lot of the looters was and is selling some of the stolen goods. Some I heard was and is trying to unload their stolen goods at market value. One set of idiots can't even pronounce the names of the expensive perfumes that they stole. Idiots, once something leaves the store, be it purchased or stolen, the value drops.


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