THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT 
                                     “To Protect and Serve” 
       Office of the Commissioner 
 
 
AAF Justice Complex, 5400 Veterans Drive St. Thomas, 00802 * (340) 774-2211 
Administrative Services Building 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted St. Croix, 00840 * (340) 778-2211 
 
www.vipd.vi.gov 
 
Revised VIPD Release-031823-78 
For Immediate Media Distribution 
 
March 18, 2023  
 
 
            Frederiksted Man Arrested for Arson First Degree 
 
Frederiksted, St. Croix– On March 16, 2023, the 911 Emergency Call Center 
dispatched units at 5:49p.m., to the Frederiksted area where a victim was 
requesting Police Assistance with a male individual who was creating a 
disturbance. Upon the Criminal Investigation Bureau Detectives’ arrival, they 
contacted the victim and witnesses who stated that Mr. Elvis Stapleton was 
creating a disturbance then grabbed a gas container poured over a vehicle’s 
hood and ignited it. Mr. Stapleton fled the area and subsequently was 
apprehended by police with no further incidents. Stapleton 59-years-old was 
charged with Arson in the First Degree. 
Unable to post the $75,000 bail, he was transported to the John Bell Adult 
Correctional Facility where he was remanded pending his Advice of Rights 
Hearing at the Superior Court.  
 
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