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Tourist-jostling homeless man sparks concerns among resident

-The homeless man has also jostled VINO reporter
Tourist-jostling homeless man identified as Marvin Gumbs, sparks concerns among resident. Photo: VINO
The homeless man blocked the path of the tourists who were refusing to give him cash: Photo: VINO
The homeless man blocked the path of the tourists who were refusing to give him cash: Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Town, VI – A man said to be homeless and identified as Marvin Gumbs has been observed by a Reporter of the Virgin Islands News jostling a number of persons who appeared to have been tourists and the reporter was also targeted.

The incident occurred shortly after 5:00pm in the vicinity of Rite Way Super Market yesterday February 9, 2013. At the time the reporter was seated in a car when the man approached and aggressively demanded $2.

When he was turned down the man drew closer to the car as appearing to have wanted to touch the reporter but was backed off after the windows were then closed. It was after that the man was observed to have been jostling primarily Caucasians who were walking along the road in the same areas.

The man was demanding money from the tourists and when they appeared not to be granting his wish he was seen on at least three times touching and blocking the path of the tourists as they attempted move on. Some decided to give him cash obviously out of fear.

Several persons in the area who observed the man expressed much concern to the point that they feel the homeless man may someday resort to violence or robberies.

They said that Marvin Gumbs had recently returned to the street after serving a one year prison sentence after he was charged for wounding a Police Officer.

On that instance Gumbs went into Bobby’s Supermarket in Road Town on February 18, 2013 at about 1:30 P.M. wearing no shirt, no shoes and only a pair of khaki pants. The cashier at Bobby’s, upon seeing Gumbs, reportedly became fearful and made a report to an Inspector Jackson who was in the supermarket in uniform.

The cashier had reason to get the officer because she saw Gumbs allegedly running up and down the aisles removing items from the shelves and disturbing customers.

When officers had confronted Gumbs, he took off running down the aisles. The inspector was able to catch up with the defendant.

When the he saw the inspector he picked up a large bottle of Presidente Beer off a shelf, raised it in his right hand and allegedly charged towards the Inspector yelling: “I tried tell you stop f@#king me up.”

When the Inspector saw the defendant charging he had used his hands to block him; as a result the homeless man broke the bottle on the hands of the Inspector, wounding him in the process, and then ran out of the Supermarket.

11 Responses to “Tourist-jostling homeless man sparks concerns among resident”

  • ccc (10/02/2014, 08:25) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look thing to talk
    • bing (10/02/2014, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      This man was just released from prison a week ago, i still say it is society resposibility.
  • Mick Mars (10/02/2014, 08:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow. Did anyone call the cops on this?
    I mean, really and truly.
    Ayo forget Sonnel and his 'aggressive' tactics when asking tourists for money down on the cruise ship dock?
    All it take is one slap.
    Just one.
    A clout or a push.
    Then we in problem again.
  • :/ (10/02/2014, 08:54) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's going to get to a point where 1 of these days they will hassle the wrong person & in turn they will get hurt mark my words. Either somebody will beat them down or worse still shoot them. They getting worse & worse by the min. You stick them in jail for a few mths & then let them out to once again be a nuisance to ppl. Once upon a time they useto just ask for $, you say no & they keep it moving NOW?? they asking, you saying no & they demanding you give them even going so far as to put their hands on you. Only a matter of time.
  • what saying (10/02/2014, 11:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    These blasted crazy people in this place all the need is some serious beating that's all you will see how fast they be come sane
  • Byron (10/02/2014, 11:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The police need to look into this and get Mental Health to check him out.
  • Huh? (10/02/2014, 14:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about Yellow. She come in store smelling like last year and scatching. Then she just steal a beer from store. Meanwhile her odor linger in store for hours
  • Concern 1 (10/02/2014, 14:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people considerably need help and it is up to us to do so. A home for the homeless with a psychiatric wing etc. Let us do some thing government, civil society let's all come on board and help. we may give them a Christmas or Sunday dinner/ new year luncheon/some clothing, shoes etc but they need more than that.It is only when it struck us we come tend to come on board
  • wise up (11/02/2014, 06:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    all the time Gumbs asking the black people for money BUT time is ask "mr white" big news item...some of you realy have these white folks to Gods in this place...day-after-day, Gumbs asking the blacks for money not a problem but he crossed the line-now( there is no law against asking for money in the BVI)....the young BV Islander have a drug problem and sending him in-and-out of jail is no help because once back on the street he does the very same thing.....the police need to go after the dealers and drug importers them we might be able to fix the problem in BVI; sending users to jail is just a quick fix!!!!!! now run to talk that !!!!!
  • Abby (13/02/2014, 17:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ wise up. Gumbs asking we locals for money does not affect the economy. Gumbs bothering tourists and they stop coming does affect our economy. It is not like they are gods, no way, but we all know if our economy stops, we will all suffer the consequences.


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