Suspect arrested in robbery of Justice Breyer

CHARLESTOWN, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A 28-year-old man has been charged with the machete robbery of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on the Caribbean island of Nevis, authorities said.

Police said Vedel Browne, who was formally charged with robbery Monday, turned himself in Sunday after authorities declared him a "person of interest" and released a photo of him to the media, CNN reported.

Breyer, his wife, his sister and another guest were at the justice's vacation home Feb. 9 when an intruder with a machete broke in and robbed them of about $1,000, authorities said. No one was injured.

Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Sgt. Stephen Hector said Browne, who police said has worked as a gardener, could face as long as 20 years in prison if convicted of the felony offense.

A local law enforcement official described the robbery as "a crime of opportunity," and said police have no evidence Breyer had been specifically targeted, CNN said.

Breyer has since returned to the United States.

He declined to comment on the robbery.