The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crimes Unit has recently apprehended two women in separate cases involving financial fraud.
Shaira Rivera Arrested in Debit Card Fraud Case
On November 15, 2024, 24-year-old Shaira Rivera from St. Croix was taken into custody after an investigation uncovered unauthorized transactions on a Bank of America Visa debit card. The inquiry, which began on July 15, 2024, revealed that Rivera had used the card to make payments on a friend’s Viya account and attempted to make unauthorized Amazon purchases.
Rivera voluntarily surrendered at the Queen Elizabeth IV Ferry Terminal, where she was served with an arrest warrant, advised of her rights, and arrested without incident. She faces multiple charges, including obtaining money by false pretenses, petit larceny, and unauthorized computer access for fraudulent purposes. Her bail was set at $20,000, and she remains incarcerated at the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility. Rivera’s Advice of Rights hearing is set for November 18, 2024.
D’nique Heyliger Arrested for Credit Card Fraud
In a separate case, 36-year-old D’nique Brielle Heyliger of St. Thomas was arrested on November 17, 2024, for allegedly using a victim’s Mastercard to make unauthorized purchases totaling more than $6,000. These transactions, made between March and August 2022, occurred at Frenchtown Deli and various online retailers, including Amazon and Etsy.
The investigation, which began on February 28, 2023, led to an arrest warrant being issued on October 2, 2024. Heyliger turned herself in to the Economic Crimes Unit, where she was processed and arrested. She faces charges of fraudulent use of a credit card and grand larceny. Like Rivera, Heyliger’s bail was also set at $20,000, and she remains in custody at the Bureau of Corrections, awaiting her Advice of Rights hearing.
The VIPD continues to urge residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help prevent further fraud-related crimes in the community.