ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is investigating a series of hit-and-run incidents and physical assaults on St. Croix, as residents continue to report encounters involving a white Mercedes-Benz sedan. According to a VIPD news release issued Sunday evening, 39-year-old Cleo Taylor has been identified as a person of interest in several of the cases now under review.
The department stated that the most recent incident occurred on Friday, November 28 in La Grange, Frederiksted at about 6:30 a.m., where a woman was physically attacked and sustained injuries. Another earlier case, reported on October 23 at approximately 5:55 p.m., involved a pedestrian being struck in the Villa La Reine Pueblo parking lot by a white Mercedes-Benz sedan, whose driver then fled the scene. The VIPD said Taylor is being sought for questioning in connection with these events. She is described as a Black female with a brown complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, standing about 5’4” and weighing approximately 155 pounds. Police added that she frequents La Grange, Frederiksted and Frederiksted Town.
In the same release, investigators said they are also reviewing additional reports “in reference to a white Mercedes Benz sedan striking citizens throughout St. Croix.” The department confirmed that the vehicle believed to be involved was impounded shortly after at Taylor’s residence, and noted that an arrest is pending. Residents with information are asked to call 911, the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477.
Alongside the ongoing investigation, community members have taken to social media describing their own experiences with a similar vehicle. One individual wrote, “This is the same woman in a white Mercedes driving around the west end running over people. Be safe out there. This poor old lady didn’t deserve that. The police have yet to arrest this person.” Another commenter stated that “a white car with a female driver almost hit me as well. Her side mirror hit my hand! If my purse/bag was not there, it would have def been worse. Smh. she seemed drunk though.”
Others echoed concerns, reporting similar encounters. One comment read, “A white four door benz with a black female driver. It happened to me about 3 weeks ago around 6am.” Another commenter said, “didn’t you say it was a white car that hit Kinsley at Rainbow Beach??” to which a response stated, “yes it was. A friend was also hit the day before Thanksgiving in front of rainbow and he has a broken leg.”
Multiple reports referenced the Rainbow Beach area. “It’s a white four door Benz, happened to me also near Rainbow, smh….” one individual wrote. Another said, “My brother’s car was hit on Wednesday night by a white Benz with a female driver in Frederiksted town.”
A further statement shared that, “My daughter was hit at Rainbow by this car 4 weeks ago. I filed a police report and gave them this picture. The car sped up hit her and then circled back and tried to hit me.” Additional comments described similar encounters, including one that read, “This woman try to run over me and my friend on that same stretch near the pink condos that we both had to run onto the property. And a lady witness it an stop to ask if we are ok.” Another person added, “she was trying to hit my truck and she try to run over my friend Diamond Newton.”
The VIPD said its Major Crimes and traffic investigators remain engaged as reports continue to emerge, and emphasized that anyone with knowledge of these incidents should contact authorities.
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