Police spent most of May searching for a woman suspected of stinking up a St. Thomas events space by spreading fish and fishy oil when no one was looking. She surrendered to the Virgin Islands Police Department May 29, according to charging documents.

Police had issued a wanted poster May 13 for Megan Corry, who was described in court records as a Regatta Point Villas homeowner facing potential foreclosure since May 2024 for nonpayment of homeowner’s association common fees. Corry is contesting the alleged $37,000 nonpayment in court.

On Feb. 19, video surveillance captured what appeared to be Corry lingering in the property’s Ambassador’s Club as a cleaning crew prepared for a party. Corry was not invited to the event as it was only for residents who had paid their common fees.

The staff asked Corry to leave but she remained. When the cleaning crew turned their backs, Corry allegedly hid a bottle of wine and two prized framed photos from the wall that she later stole, according to charging documents.

Corry allegedly returned early the next morning and emptied three cans of sardines into roughly 25 cabinets in the club. She left again but soon returned to pour an unknown substance — possibly fishy oil from the sardine cans — into the club’s ice machine, according to court records. When staff arrived to continue party preparations, the club reeked of fish. Fresh sardines and anchovies were found in the ice maker, according to charging documents.

The villa’s board president, Janet La Berge, said Corry’s alleged actions may have resulted from a dispute over an air mattress kept on Corry’s balcony in violation of homeowner’s association rules. When Corry refused to remove the air mattress, she was fined $250. The association pinned a notice on her door. Corry removed the air mattress Feb. 19, shortly before her alleged crimes at the Ambassador’s Club.

Police took statements from Regatta Point homeowners in April and started calling the six or more phone numbers associated with Corry. None of the lines were in operation, according to police. After several attempts, police eventually reached Corry in person at her workplace, the ReUse Emporium in Bovoni. Corry allegedly told police she had nothing to do with the missing photographs and expressed concern the Regatta Point Villas Board had improperly barred her from the club.

Corry agreed to meet police with her lawyer on May 12, according to court records. Neither Corry nor the lawyer showed up for the meeting. When police could not reach Corry again the next day, they issued a wanted poster. She surrendered shortly before 6 p.m. on May 29.

Charged with grand larceny, petite larceny, unlawful entry, and disturbing the peace, Corry was released after posting 10 percent of $20,000 bail. She was ordered not to leave St. Thomas, remain employed at ReUse Emporium, and surrender her passport and Vermont driver’s license. Corry’s next court date is June 13.

There was no mention of the whereabouts of the allegedly stolen photos in court records. The pictures, estimated to be worth $1,250, depicted founding members and creators of the Regatta Point Villas, William Hughes, Nancy Hughes, Marty Blevins, and Edward Salmon.