03/06/2026
Police Information Office - Press Release
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐ช๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ฃ๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฆ - The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is offering a reward of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for information leading to the successful capture and arrest of two escaped fugitives, Jose Almestica and John Burgos, both residents of the United States Virgin Islands.
The two men unlawfully escaped from His Majestyโs Prison, Balsam Ghut, Tortola, on 25th October 2025 and have since evaded law enforcement. They remain at large and are actively being sought.
At the time of their escape, Jose Almestica was serving a sentence of six (6) years for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. He had also been found guilty by a nine-member jury in October 2025 for four (4) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm, one (1) count of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm, three (3) counts of Unlawful Possession of Explosives and two (2) counts of Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Supply. He was awaiting sentencing for these offences.
Additionally, Almestica is awaiting trial in relation to the 2021 murder of Deverson Williams at Fish Bay, Tortola. He is further wanted by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands for serious offences, including First-degree Murder, Second-degree Murder, and Assault.
John Burgos was remanded to His Majestyโs Prison, Balsam Ghut, on charges relating to fi****ms, ammunition, and drug possession. He is also wanted for questioning by the United States Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) in connection with a 2023 murder investigation.
Both men are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Members of the public are strongly advised not to approach either individual under any circumstances.
The RVIPF is urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these fugitives to come forward. Persons can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9512 or provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or 284-800-8477 from overseas.
The safety of our communities remains a top priority. As long as these fugitives remain at large, there is an ongoing risk to public safety. Even the smallest piece of information could prove critical in locating and apprehending these individuals.
