Clayton Boyce, a 34-year-old personal fitness trainer living on St. Thomas, secured his release from custody Wednesday afternoon by posting $5,000 in cash bail. He faces charges of Grand Larceny, Receiving Stolen Property, and Aiding and Abetting in connection with an October 15 theft at a Home Depot store in Donoe.
Magistrate Judge Christopher Timmons set bail at $25,000 with the option to post 20 percent in cash. A payor identified as Shenae Natifah Jackson deposited $5,005 at the courthouse at 3:07 p.m. on Wednesday, enabling Boyce's release to his residence at Oswald Harris Court. His formal arraignment is scheduled for November 6 before Magistrate Judge Julie Smith Todman.
Boyce was arrested Monday after police say he directed the theft from inside a blue Ford Explorer rental. According to a police affidavit, officers responding to the Home Depot on October 15 detained Jon Strain as he tried to leave the store. Strain waived his rights and confessed on an officer's body-worn camera that he had taken tools and hardware without payment.
In his recorded statement, Strain said he was following instructions relayed over the phone by someone he called "Jason". He described this person as a dark-skinned fitness trainer operating a blue Ford Explorer and provided a cell phone number. Strain explained that throughout the theft, his accomplice stayed on the line with him, giving specific directions about which items to take from shelves and where to leave them outside the store.
Detective Brian Bedminster reviewed Strain's call records on camera and aligned the timestamps with the theft timeline. While Strain was being processed at the store, Officer Vernon Carr reported spotting Boyce driving a blue Ford Explorer as it fled the area near My Brother's Workshop. Police records indicate Boyce was already known to local law enforcement for running similar retail theft operations across St. Thomas using others to carry out the actual stealing.
Four days later on October 19, Boyce entered the police station. After receiving his Miranda rights, he declined to provide a written statement. During questioning, however, Boyce made an unsolicited comment: "He should never have given the other individual a ride and.. this was what he received for trying to be a good person," according to Detective Bedminster's affidavit.
Detectives confirmed that the phone number Strain provided matched Boyce's active number. Boyce was arrested immediately and held at the Bureau of Corrections.
Judge Timmons imposed strict conditions on Boyce's release. He must surrender his Real ID and passport, report to the Office of Probation in person every Tuesday, and contact at least two employers weekly in search of employment. He is barred from entering any Home Depot location in the territory, prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition or weapons, and ordered to have no contact, direct or indirect, with victims, witnesses, or co-defendant Jon Strain.
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