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Take extra precautions when making late-night ATM withdrawals- RVIPF

-second Banco Popular ATM armed robbery in weeks
A second armed robbery targeting individuals withdrawing cash from the Banco Popular ATM occurred on Friday, February 28, 2025. Photo: Internet Source
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is urging persons to take extra precautions when making cash withdrawals, especially during late-night hours. Photo: RVIPF
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is urging persons to take extra precautions when making cash withdrawals, especially during late-night hours. Photo: RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following a second armed robbery targeting individuals withdrawing cash from the Banco Popular ATM in recent weeks, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is urging the public to be vigilant.

According to a press release from the RVIPF, this latest robbery occurred around 2:00 AM on Friday, February 28, 2025, and bears striking similarities to a previous robbery at the same location on January 11, 2025. 

“In both cases, victims withdrew cash from the ATM and were soon after accosted by armed men, who forcibly took their money before fleeing the scene. These incidents highlight the risks of late-night ATM transactions and reinforce the need for increased situational awareness,” the police said in the release. 

Increased security measures being implemented

In light of this, police have increased patrol presence in the area and are improving CCTV coverage, enhancing security and deterring criminal activity in the area. 

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Kenrick Davis said, “Many street crimes occur when three variables meet: a motivated offender, a vulnerable victim, and the lack of capable guardianship. If citizens and police work together to disrupt any of these variables, crimes are unlikely to occur. Varying routines, like withdrawal times and locations, make it more difficult for persons to be targeted.”

DCI Davis also said as it relates to how to make individuals less inclined to commit crimes is a more complex matter because personal and socioeconomic factors are at play. 

Recommendations for public safety

The public is also advised to take extra precautions when making cash withdrawals, especially during late-night hours. 

To minimise risk, the RVIPF advises the public to:

  • Avoid late-night withdrawals whenever possible.
  • Vary transaction times and locations to prevent becoming a predictable target.
  • Be aware of surroundings and look for any suspicious activity before using an ATM.
  • Use well-lit ATMs in populated areas.
  • Consider digital transactions as an alternative to cash withdrawals.

Police actively investigating robberies

The RVIPF also asked persons who may know the perpetrators or any suspicious activity in the area to confidentially contact them as they continue to actively investigate the robberies. 

These reports can be made at the RVIPF’s non-emergency access number 311, the Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or overseas at (284) 800-8477 (TIPS),

23 Responses to “Take extra precautions when making late-night ATM withdrawals- RVIPF”

  • Migoman (01/03/2025, 09:01) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Atms usually run out of cash by Saturday, so...shouldn't be a big deal
  • (01/03/2025, 09:17) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well at least it’s better than going into the bank
  • Tigress (01/03/2025, 09:34) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    happy for.the.police tips but i notice people fail to be aware of their surroundings, and sometimes there is rhat voice within that indicates you should not go there or park there or maybe even go home now and we ignore its indications and promptings. where ii ive is relatively quiet but someimes.out of sheer habit i park my car face iin sometimes face.out sometimes ax the steeet etc change up your dealings and plan mentally: should this occur then what, and persons might think to throw the money away from them and run like usain bolt just saying i am over 70 and always been aware of these things so you can too. is there a system as yet where if i am in such a situation put my fone on speed dial to police and they can tract my location and come quickly?
  • Armed n Dangerous (01/03/2025, 09:37) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is one of the very reasons y persons should be able to apply n acquire a firearm license. All the young boys and criminals have and i dont know if you notice places that have guns legal dont have as much crime because they know.
  • Solve (01/03/2025, 10:09) Like (2) Dislike (26) Reply
    this crime problem by simply turning off the ATMs from 10pm to 6am every night. No cash, no crime.
  • not me (01/03/2025, 10:16) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    They say never say never, but you never catch me using a ATM machine after dark in the open like that.I am not giving anyone the chance to creep up and stick a gun or knife in my back to rob me.
    • @not me (01/03/2025, 14:26) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Exactly, and you always have to be aware of your surroundings be it day or night. I’m not going to any ATM during the night.
  • Yes I (01/03/2025, 10:54) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    So from January 11 they wait till second robbery to accour to tell the public such things happen if they had told persons early this world never happen
    • Common Sense (01/03/2025, 12:14) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don't need police or anyone to tell us that. Not only at nights but everytime you in the ATM, you have to observed your surroundings also when you leaving the ATM. At nights, Observed the surroundings before, while in and after leaving..That's a normal precaution everyone should know and implement
  • fire on them (01/03/2025, 11:45) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    Somebody need to put a bullet in one of them backside for brazenly robbing people of their hard earnings. Then you would hear what a good boy he was and rest in peace dawg…Strupes!
  • Dave (01/03/2025, 12:19) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    those ATM are always down especially at First bank so when do they get time to rob?
  • @Yesi (01/03/2025, 12:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The local overseer from Northside will be the ultimate and final straw .KARMA,that is not her secret to keep.
    Human litter with guns await our
    arrival and that is a secret..cause the elected to protect and
  • @,YEsI (01/03/2025, 12:36) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    The secrets and the secretive of the good bad and ugly in these BVI are deadly.
    Reason why we were not informed about the previous...most likely they know the identity but decide to protect de lil.boy. Your life,your money means nothing to the harborers of these poopy scums.that areof one and exclusively demographic...Young Black male. KARMA will reach these VI and fix it.
    KARMA is real...BVI will be ddus
  • Hmmmm (01/03/2025, 20:22) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Since Trump start sending home these people. They're bringing their lawlessness here. They will bark up the wring tree one of these days.
  • Just my 2 cents (01/03/2025, 21:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some persons does put their own life at risk. At 2am in the morning, you withdrawing money TO GO WHERE OR TO SPEND WHERE if we all know the businesses that is open around those times. Strupes
    • Really? (04/03/2025, 10:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some people work the graveyard shift. They should be able to do their banking when it is convenient for them.
  • ... (02/03/2025, 04:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They kept it a secret the first robbery because police think they are a special breed & separate from the rest of us.

    News flash the uniform you put on and the supermarket employee uniform or the fireman uniform all is a job to do with honor & serve the community. You are not separate and police are not special to keep secret a robbery at a ATM in the middle of town. It is your job to let us know what is going on in the community in terms of crime. The police & military people believe they are special & we are civilian but the police here including those foreign police end up in the same court as the criminals.
    • think... (02/03/2025, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Robberies happen all the time and the police tell us. I can't remember a time when we got more information from the police. Obviously they would not have seen a pattern until the 2nd incident and then they told us immediately. Thank you RVIPF.
  • ausar (02/03/2025, 06:21) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are Bank ATMs in this country on the outside?

    Here on St Thomas, in most banks, an ATM is on the inside. Bank cards are used, to get inside.

    When an individual is inside, it causes the card insert on the outside, to become unoperational. When the individual exits, the insert becomes, once again, operational!

    Back to the drawing board, on the banks for this one!
    BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!!
  • Better Job (02/03/2025, 09:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am urging the RVIPF to do their job, we are paying hard earned tax dollars to them. Put foot patrols at ATM's or give us a right to arm ourselves to protect our families. We are not in need of advice we are in need a decent police force.
  • Bark (02/03/2025, 12:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    When I need to use the ATM after dark, I have my 2 German Shepards and a baseball bat with me. I have pleasantly noticed people keep well away. GOOD DOGS.
  • They pon vibe (02/03/2025, 18:01) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does it make a difference if the machine inside or outside what happened when the Gunnan saw you going inside so do you not have to come back out


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