Police Blotter: August 15 - August 22

ST. THOMAS, USVI — A summary of arrests and police reports released by the Virgin Islands Police Department for the week of August 15 - August 22. All

On August 15, VIPD officers investigated a robbery at the McDonald’s restaurant in Golden Rock. A restaurant employee working the drive-thru window told police that she closed the window and stepped away from the register. She was then approached by slim male, wearing a black ski mask, black jacket, and jeans. The assailant entered the restaurant by climbing through the drive-thru window. He led the employee back to the register, forced her to open it, took cash and fled through the window.

On August 15, VIPD officers responded to reports of a possible stabbing near Kronprindsens Gade, Charlotte Amalie. The male victim reported that he was stabbed by an unknown female. After being assaulted, the victim ran for assistance to a nearby residence. The victim was transported to the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center via ambulance for treatment, where he was listed in stable condition.

On August 16, police arrested Kyle W. Champagnie, age 34 of Hillside, New Jersey, and charged him with being a Fugitive from Justice. Customs and Border Protection agents held Champagnie at the Cyril E. King Airport after it was discovered that he was wanted in New Jersey on a Parole Violation warrant. VIPD detectives picked up Champagnie and remanded him to the Bureau of Corrections, pending his extradition hearing.

On August 17, Domestic Violence Unit detectives arrested Akeem A. Forbes, age 32 of Jode Gade, charging him with 2nd Degree Assault, Domestic Violence. Forbes, between August 15 and August 16, prevented a female victim from leaving his residence; where she was struck several times about the face and strangled, according to her report. Forbes was jailed without bail, as per the territory’s domestic violence laws, pending his Advice of Rights hearing.

On August 17, the VIPD responded to a report of a robbery at Rossie’s Bar & Restaurant in Estate Richmond. According to police, three slim males entered through the rear of the establishment with guns drawn. The suspects took cash and fled.

On August 17, police arrested 21-year-old Ras-I Hendrickson of Mount Pleasant West, charging him with Delaying and Obstructing an Officer Discharging his/her Duties and Operating a Vehicle without a Driver's License. While investigating another matter, officers observed two vehicles parked in the Estate Richmond area with three male occupants. As officers approached to investigate, the vehicles left the area. Officers were able to conduct a traffic stop on one of the vehicles Hendrickson was driving, which revealed he did not possess a valid driver’s license. Police say he was apprehended after attempting to flee.

On August 18, police arrested Taheem Hansen, age 24 of Estate Richmond, charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree reckless endangerment, grand larceny, and possession of stolen property. Hansen allegedly removed a vehicle from a business in Estate Friedenstahl unauthorized. While fleeing the scene, Hansen collided with three vehicles on Contentment Road, causing severe damages.

On August 18, VIPD officers investigated a robbery to at Old Fredensborg Village. The victim, a 14-year-old male, reported he was alone at his residence when he was forcibly held at gunpoint while electronics, jewelry, and cash were stolen. A VIPD investigation revealed the suspects entered the residence through an unsecured door.

On August 19, VIPD officers visited a Christiansted residence to investigate the kidnapping of a female victim. The victim reported that around 11 p.m., she was walking on Strand Street, Christiansted when she noticed two men walking behind her. When she got to the corner of Strand and King Cross Streets, she observed one of the males appeared to have a firearm in his hand. Ordered by one of the males to walk toward the Government Parking Lot, the victim was forced into a vehicle and taken to a gas station in Grove Place, where the suspects called her significant other to demand a ransom. The victim was able to escape a short time after, where she received assistance.

On August 20, police arrested 19-year-old Tyrell Audain of Tan Tan Terrace, charging him with Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. Officers of the Criminal Investigation and Special Operations Bureaus executed a search warrant at a residence, where a firearm was located. Audain, not having a license to possess the firearm, was arrested.

On August 20, the 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched officers to Vista Concordia to investigate a possible deceased female in a vehicle. Emergency Medical Technicians confirmed that the female had no vital signs, and was in the early stages of decomposition. The body appeared to have multiple stab wounds about the body. This case has been classified as a possible homicide, pending an autopsy for cause of death. The female was identified by family members as 56-year-old Lucy Lindquist of Morningstar Circle.

On August 20, police arrested Jose Andres Rosario Espinal, age 38 of Estate Bovoni, on a warrant. Espinal is accused of sexually assaulting a minor on July 26 at Vessup Beach.

On August 20, police arrested Clement Connor, age 43 of Altona, charging him with third-degree assault, domestic violence. According to the female victim’s report, Connor pointed his licensed firearm at and threatened her.

On August 22, police arrested 61-year-old Marina Leatham of Smith Bay, charging her with first degree assault, domestic violence. Leatham was arrested after she allegedly assaulted her husband with a knife earlier that morning.

On August 22, police arrested Rhasanie Hendrickson, age 20 of Mount Pleasant, and charged him with first-degree rape, domestic violence, second-degree assault, and third-degree assault. Hendrickson allegedly sexually and physically assaulted his partner.

On August 22, VIPD officers investigated a burglary at a residence in Estate Turner Hole. The investigation revealed that three masked men broke into the second floor of the residence. The first-floor tenant heard the noise, went to investigate and was confronted by the suspects, assaulted and led back to his apartment where he was robbed of money and other valuables.

On August 22, officers were dispatched to Watergut – in the vicinity of the shanty – where a male victim was discovered suffering from multiple gunshot wounds about the body. The victim, transported to the Juan Francisco Luis Hospital & Medical Center via ambulance for treatment, was listed in stable condition. The victim reported having a verbal dispute with an unknown male with dreadlocks when the suspect drew a firearm and shot the victim; fleeing the area afterward.

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