The V.I. Police Department is asking the public’s help in closing a handful of missing persons cases that have been on the books as long as five years.

St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island Police Chief Rodney F. Querrard Sr. sent an appeal out to the public for information on several people reported missing in the district in the last five years.

“The families of these individuals are still wondering what happened to them, they need answers,” Querrard said. “Any information on where these individuals were last seen or who they were seen with may assist in the investigation.”

On St. Croix, Police Chief Christopher Howell also reminded the public that information is still needed on the whereabouts of several St. Croix missing persons.

The missing St. Thomas/St. John individuals are:

• Canute Joseph, last seen Feb. 19, 2009, then 45 years old;

• Akilah “Shawty” Charleswell, last seen Aug. 12, 2009, at age 26;

• Carrel "Nikki" Brady, last seen in November 2006, then 41; and

• Gerard Arthur Nicholas and Penny Louise January, who were both 44 when they were last seen May 2, 2008.

The St. Croix missing persons cases are:

• Isaac Robins, last seen Jan. 29, 2010; He was 20 years old at the time; and

• Nicholas Felix Garcia, who was 85 when he went missing March 21, 2010.

Howell said information is still needed to locate these missing persons and others who were last seen in the territory, including the disappearance of St. Croix Police Cpl. Wendell Williams, who was last seen June 2001.

“The families and friends of these missing persons deserve closure. If you know anything about these disappearances please call the police or Crime Stoppers USVI,” Chief Howell said.

On St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, people with information can contact Querrard at 340-715-5548. On St. Croix, Howell can be reached at 712-6043. Callers also can call the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.