Michigan Couple Sues Ritz-Carlton After Alleged $425,000 Armed Robbery on St. Thomas

A Michigan couple who say they were robbed at gunpoint during a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas last September have filed a civil lawsuit in District Court, alleging negligence and gross negligence in connection with the incident.

According to the complaint filed Tuesday, Samuel Sullivan and Shayaria Gilmore traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands for a stay at the resort. One night during their visit, the couple returned to the hotel in the early morning hours and went to the lobby area to await transportation to their assigned guest room.

A member of the hotel’s security team transported them to the building where they were staying. Upon arrival, the pair realized they did not have their room key. The complaint states that Mr. Sullivan specifically asked the security guard not to leave them alone. The guard, however, departed to obtain a replacement key.

“Within seconds of the security guard’s departure, multiple armed assailants emerged from nearby bushes in the immediate vicinity of the Plaintiffs’ building and robbed Plaintiffs at gunpoint,” the lawsuit alleges.