The Virgin Islands Police Department has reclassified 18-year-old Isaiah Cotto, known as "Spazz", from a wanted person of interest to a missing person, a shift that has drawn scrutiny on St. Croix.
Cotto first appeared on a VIPD person of interest bulletin in July 2026 under Case Record No. 26XP06603. Police renewed the public appeal in August with updated photographs.
The change in classification followed a September 14 armed robbery at the Caribbean Grocery in Estate Williams Delight, where two gunmen held a store clerk and child at gunpoint. After surveillance images from the robbery were released, community members and tipsters identified similarities between the taller robbery suspect and Cotto, noting matching facial features, nasal bridge and jawline. Estate Williams Delight was already listed as one of Cotto's known frequented locations.
Rather than announce an arrest or charges tied to the robbery or earlier inquiries, police issued a missing person flyer over the weekend under Case Report No. 26XP09636. Observers of law enforcement practices note that agencies sometimes employ missing person classifications when standard investigative avenues reach a standstill, enabling officers to distribute updated descriptions and conduct neighbourhood canvassing without filing formal charges prematurely.
Cotto was born on St. Croix on March 21, 2008. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has black hair, brown eyes and a brown complexion. A tattoo reading "MOB" marks the back of his right hand.
Police say Cotto frequents the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion housing community and Estate Williams Delight. The public can contact emergency dispatchers at 911, reach Police Officer J. Gonzalez at the Wilbur Francis Command at (340) 778-2211, or call Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) with information.
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