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Tortola businessman accused of verbally abusing customer, police

A Tortola businessman found himself in police custody yesterday, October 20, 2020, after allegedly using indecent language and behaving in an irate manner during police investigations. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A Tortola businessman found himself in police custody yesterday, October 20, 2020, after allegedly using indecent language and behaving in an irate manner during police investigations.

The arrest reportedly stemmed from a complaint made by a shopper, who claimed she was verbally abused by the proprietor.

According to reports reaching our newsroom, the woman had purchased a pair of children's sneakers from the store but subsequently discovered it had a defect and decided to return it.

Customer allegedly met with aggression

On returning the item; however, the owner of the store allegedly told the customer she would be required to purchase another pair of shoe but at half price.

Not accepting the offer, the woman allegedly left the item on the counter and was about to leave the store when the business owner allegedly started to hurl expletives at her and chased her out the store.

It is alleged that the enraged business owner then threw the sneakers at the woman.

Not satisfied, he allegedly went after her out of the building and threw the items at the woman again but missed.

The matter was reported to the police and, according to reports, having reviewed CCTV footage the customer's story was justified.

While attempting to discuss the matter with the businessman; however, the police were met with aggression and a slew of indecent language hurled at them.

The man was taken into custody until he composed himself.

Further investigations are being conducted, according to sources.

57 Responses to “Tortola businessman accused of verbally abusing customer, police”

  • one eye (21/10/2020, 18:04) Like (61) Dislike (3) Reply
    vino you getting soft we need names
    • Really (22/10/2020, 10:44) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
      While you getting the name of the store owner please check for the name of the nurse at the hospital early this morning who refused her service to a customer suffering a asthma attack. The woman had to leave because the nurse was busy cursing about covid- 19 measures while the the victim could not breath. Imagine that.
      Which is worse the store
      owner or the nurse?
      What is the difference between the police kneeling in the man back as he yells he can't breath.
      • Boo (22/10/2020, 12:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        wow that one need to go
      • Pulse (23/10/2020, 05:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        While we are in covid time we need to keep abreast of health in these time . Unfortunately she was met with hostility if it is so.
        Patients with asmathic should know nebulisation are not advised because of covid.
        The inhalers are adequate if use correctly.
        Education needed!
  • tola (21/10/2020, 18:09) Like (41) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them and them dry rotten shoes them and want big money
  • lasher (21/10/2020, 18:15) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    "business owner allegedly started to hurl explicits at her " You don't want an explicit thrown at you. Whatever
    an "explicit" is. Is it anything like an expletive?
  • eheh (21/10/2020, 18:19) Like (1) Dislike (108) Reply
    The customer probably was out of order I sure he customer from down the island. Leave out local business men alone we from here
  • Local (21/10/2020, 18:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pressure in the pipe
  • BVI (21/10/2020, 18:26) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    That woman should have had a husband, a boyfriend or a big Son. He would a see what time it is. He taking advantage of the Poor woman. What a foolish man.
  • YOU (21/10/2020, 18:28) Like (36) Dislike (1) Reply
    So how come no .name is being used for the owner
    Is he special
  • wow (21/10/2020, 18:31) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please let me know the name of this business so i can make sure I NEVER SHOP THERE. Customer service is a big deal, idc how upset you are learn to handle people with respect, especially if they haven’t disrespected you.
    • A Parent (21/10/2020, 20:37) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you! I want to know which shoe store this is so i can avoid it like a plague.
    • @SMH (22/10/2020, 09:01) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
      Co-sign! We need to start using YELP in this territory. When businesses start to see how customers rate them it will be a wake up call. Customers are spending their hard earn money to then be treated like hog piss.
  • Yes Miss (21/10/2020, 18:46) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    You handled it the way it should have been Handled. What the H*LL HE THOUGHT THAT THE CUSTOMER WAS STUPID OR SOMETHING?
  • Fran (21/10/2020, 18:48) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is this store so I can avoid this tyrant? Is he MAD? Who does that? If the sneaker was defective, he must take them back and give her a good pair without any extra charges. What kind of business person would act like that, committing business suicide? Something has to be wrong in his head or he is over stressed for money, bills or personal problems at home. Whatever the reason, he just lost a customer.
  • Go (21/10/2020, 19:06) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Go to the USA and. Use indecent language and the police and see what will happen.
    • What? (22/10/2020, 08:34) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      UUUUUmmmmm nothing....... it isn't illegal to use curse words in America. Freedom of speech.
    • Norris Turnbull (22/10/2020, 15:04) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      US police dont arrest you for using curse words. They are not in tu o the petty bull shit.
  • Local (21/10/2020, 19:46) Like (40) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have the footage and he also abuse the officers so deal with him Severely. They up and down selling customers fake shoes for maximum prices and still have the ba!!& to verbally abuse people in tough times like these.
  • lol (21/10/2020, 19:58) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is only a couple of stores that sell these terrible shoes and everyone knows
  • 1st District (21/10/2020, 19:59) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    That's the price you pay when you welcome some people with open arms to your country. After they get settled, they take over! Worse to come. Look and see who they employ, another form of modern slavery. Long hours, minimum pay and not adhering to labour code. And they have a seat at the table of EVERY GOVERNMENT and have them in their pocket!
  • resident (21/10/2020, 20:17) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    The business owner better be glad it was not my Mom he treated like that. When the name and place of his business is known, he don’t have to worry about me ever patronizing his business.
  • hahahaha (21/10/2020, 20:19) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply

    It is the "S*****n" s*** s**** next to Digicel. The behavior from both parties wasn't kid friendly.

    • tola (21/10/2020, 21:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      That lil stupid punk fella strupes
    • barbie (21/10/2020, 22:10) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      I stop there once with my son and he didn’t like any of the shoes so I told him let’s go, the owner behaving so bad I’ve to put him in his place he was so shock to see a decent citizen dealt with him that way. If it wasn’t for my son I would definitely slap him down in his own store.
    • Steve (22/10/2020, 01:06) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      Okay, now we know the store. Do NOT take your money there. We will not support anyone disrespecting us and especially our women. Ban together and make him treat us with RESPECT even if he doesn't like us, he should be made an example of. He will see less people now making less money. Stand strong, there are plenty stores besides his. Ban anything he owns! You cannot treat your customers like this and YOU CANNOT CURSE THE POLICE. Fine him for indecent language on customer and Officers.
  • Loss (21/10/2020, 20:49) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is the side effect of the Corona Virus making people aggressive and more so they not making any money so they want to take it out on the poor woman
  • lodger (21/10/2020, 21:05) Like (9) Dislike (17) Reply
    How long was it between buying the shoes and returning them? Had they been worn for some time. Always two sides to every story.
    • to lodger (21/10/2020, 21:45) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      You sound like a real fool
    • @Lodger...Im thinking the same.. (22/10/2020, 03:37) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
      Get all the facts before we get caught up...
    • @lodger (22/10/2020, 12:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Correction, 3 sides to every story, my truth, your truth and the real truth lurking in the middle.
  • smh (21/10/2020, 22:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    that’s not what C** D**P meant when we say stand up.... I believe the influence of the host of c** D**P is
    encouraging local businesses the in the wrong way. Wait she ain’t an employee of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board?
  • Garrot Bounce (22/10/2020, 02:44) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    She probably damaged the shoe or it had been worn and now wants a new pair or a refund. Customers like that would be a challenge to Job. Probably has done it repeatedly .
    He was sensible enough to not aim to hit her.
    • indo (22/10/2020, 10:36) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Hope when you buy a defective product don’t go back to the store for a refund
  • wh (22/10/2020, 05:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    A coin have two sides
    • @wh (22/10/2020, 09:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you slow? The CCTV was evidence that the business owner actions were wrong. Let’s say that the woman spoke ill things. Is that how a business opener should behave? No sa’! You all was raised by pigs then.
  • 4 (22/10/2020, 05:25) Like (88) Dislike (0) Reply
    Made in China, 1000 pairs at $0.50 per dozen. Sold at $49.99 a pair!! Bogus documents for customs and the consumer pays the price every time. Where is the do nothing consumer act and don't talk about the food price..... in the mouth out the other end minutes later
    • @4 (22/10/2020, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, we the consumer is the ones that is hit with the extra cost. Also, when people steal from stores the consumer is the ones that have to pay.
  • Kingfish (22/10/2020, 08:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    On my next trip to purchase shoes I will let the sales person know that I am there to purchase a "pair of shoe".
  • Knock offs (22/10/2020, 08:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This store is known for selling FAKE KNOCK OFFS. WHEN YOU CAN SMELL DYE ON THE SHOES, IT IS A KNOCK OFF. MADE IN CHINA BY KIDS FOR TWO CENTS A DAY.
  • Ok now (22/10/2020, 10:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He should know better as a business man.
  • Here’s a Tip (22/10/2020, 10:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you buy anything leather, the way to check to see if the leather is real is take a lit match or a lighter and put the flame on a small spot of the leather. If it is real leather, it will never burn or damage the leather.
  • Disgusted (22/10/2020, 11:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is not A BUSINESS OWNER, THAT IS A CROSS BOAR HOG ALWAYS READY TO BORE HIS TUSK IN YOU. DON’T SAY OR ASK QUESTIONS, JUST BUY AND GET OUT. HOW YOU THINK YOU CAN BE SO DISRESPECTFUL AND RUDE TO THE CUSTOMERS THAT IS SPREADING THE HONEY BUTTER ON YOUR TOAST AKA TABLE. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO SHOP THAT DON’T SELL DRY ROT KNOCK OFFS.
  • Rahmi bazaar (22/10/2020, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Police need to discipline them . There is a next one running some illegal ..****** in a clothing store in main street .
  • ausar (22/10/2020, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Online ordering, folks, is still the way to go for better commodities that cannot be had in the BVI!

    • @ausar (22/10/2020, 12:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I order everything online. AMAZON, TARGET, WALMART AND ZULILY IS MY SHOPPING SPOTS. NO STORE IN THE BVI SELLS LULU LEMON.
      • ML (23/10/2020, 21:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Don't brag too much about taking money out of your own economy. There is a price to pay.
  • flUffy (22/10/2020, 12:32) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    We sitting here talking about defective shoes!! What about the local department store that been selling defective appliances for years? And don't return Nothing to you when you complain??That's why we need consumer protection!! No wants to take the lost, and as such no one should. A pair of shoes was PAID for!! And it was RETURNED with a defective! Best thing for the store owner could have done was RETURN the NONE DEFECTIVE MONEY that was PAID for the DEFECTIVE Shoe.. (
  • Checker (22/10/2020, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RELEVANT GOVT AUTHORITIES NEED TO CHECK AT PORT . PEOPLE HAVE NO BUSSINESS LICENSE AND ON WORK PERMIT BRINGING IN STUFF FOR SALE ESP THOSE PEOPLE AT PEIR PARK WORKERS AND SOME OWNERS
  • I am from the BVI. (22/10/2020, 14:09) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Tortola really behind time that is news ,Stupes lets talk about all the big drug deals tortola have and all the corruption that in this country. One of the worst Caribbean countries, this place need help.
  • LilyAnn (22/10/2020, 15:21) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was shopping to go Buju in the store across from the Fire Station ... now I'm VERY picky, but I was picking things on my own, wasn't disrupting store employees. THE MAN STARTED CURSING AND CARRYING ON telling me hurry pick something and get out, and that I'm taking too long !!! To this day, I had NEVER step foot back in there !!!
  • Ferris Wheel (22/10/2020, 19:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a business man in the territory of middle eastern decent i am ashamed. We all should aim to sell honest products in the territory. In my local land we have a saying that goes: “allaenat ealaa alnabi. natn lilmuslimin mithl alkhanazir wayumaris aljins mae al'awlad alsighar almutasakieun wayakul alhimar alkalb”- it simply means, only by an honest days earnings should an honest man eat and provide his family with the fruits of the land. I hope this person gets their fair day in court.


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