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Man goes berserk in RT! Damages vehicles; Chases man with machete

- Was eventually subdued by well-known local Eustace C. Freeman aka ‘Boss’
Eustace C. Freeman subdues a man who reportedly went berserk in Road Town on November 11, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police arrest the man who allegedly damaged a number of vehicles and chased a man with a machete in Road Town on November 11, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police arrest the man who allegedly damaged a number of vehicles and chased a man with a machete in Road Town on November 11, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters
Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews said while he does not encourage the public to take unnecessary risks, there is no doubt that the prompt action taken by Mr Eustace C. Freeman prevented ‘further potential harm’. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews said while he does not encourage the public to take unnecessary risks, there is no doubt that the prompt action taken by Mr Eustace C. Freeman prevented ‘further potential harm’. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A man was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal damage and being armed with an offensive weapon when he allegedly went on a rage, slamming his vehicle into several others and allegedly arming himself with a machete to attack a resident in broad daylight in Road Town, Tortola, yesterday, Monday, November 11, 2019.

The man was subsequently subdued by the same person he allegedly tried to attack with the machete, Mr Eustace C. Freeman aka ‘Boss’.

This incident reportedly occurred along DeCastro Street, in the vicinity of Bobby’s Supermarket.

Man was observed driving into vehicles

It was during the busy afternoon hour when son of the soil, school teacher, businessman and leader of Showtime Band, Mr Freeman was forced to make a citizen’s arrest.

Explaining what led to the man eventually attacking him with a machete, Freeman said he noticed the man driving his vehicle in a dangerous manner in the area. “He was hitting a number of vehicles along the way. He went into a parking lot and hit a number of other vehicles.

Realising that the man was not acting normal, Mr Freeman decided to caution him.

“He hit a couple of vehicles and was on the run, he went into another area where he hit another two vehicles so I approached him and told him to stop driving, ‘obviously you endangering yourself and others so please stop driving.’”

It is alleged that the man instead sped off but returned to the scene shortly after armed with a machete and proceeded to chase after Mr Freeman.

Staying alert and out of danger, Freeman said he did his best at trying to avoid being chopped, “Until he got distracted at which point I went and got a hold of him and held him until the police arrived.”

‘A movie scene’

Several persons witnessed what one man described as a movie scene. The man said the accused is known to him, “I know the man but I can’t understand why he was acting so strange, he did not smell like alcohol, but was like he was under some kind of influence.”

The eyewitness further added, “But he also seemed to know what he was doing, he drives away after Boss talked to him and purposely came back with the chopper like he wanted blood.”

The man praised Mr Freeman for intervening and performing a citizen’s arrest. “I tell you the man was irate and he appeared as if he was ready to chop up anyone who passed by him in that moment but we all kept a fair distance and Boss overpowered him, took him down in a chokehold which weakened him and kept him there until the police arrived.”

Police Commissioner ‘grateful’

In thanking Mr Freeman for averting an incident that could have turned out even worse, Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews on a local news media platform, JTV News, said: “While I do not encourage the public to take unnecessary risks, there is no doubt that the prompt action taken today (Yesterday) prevented further potential harm.”

Mr Matthews added, “I am grateful to those involved in the intervention who clearly saw it as their public duty to assist in preventing crime within the community, safely handing the individual over to the custody of police officers on their arrival.”

41 Responses to “Man goes berserk in RT! Damages vehicles; Chases man with machete”

  • the sleeper hold (12/11/2019, 10:01) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOL...........BOSS FLUSHED HIM OUT
  • liat (12/11/2019, 10:03) Like (8) Dislike (18) Reply
    deport him pronto
  • I man I (12/11/2019, 10:17) Like (35) Dislike (7) Reply
    In the heart of Road Town high afternoon, were were the Police when all this was going on, many could have gotten hurt with no police in sight. Thanks to the heroic effort of Boss. Mr. COP it’s either you need to do a shake up or a shake down. Supervisors need to ensure that there are adequate police presence in town especially now the tourists season is up on us. You cannot have all the officers on training at the station and our streets are left wanting for police presence.
    • agreed (13/11/2019, 10:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I man I .. if I could shake your hand, I would! There is ZERO police presence in Road Town, it irritates me. I constantly complain about this same issue, that could have escalated as said even worse. The COP insists we need more police, but we can't even see the ones that are employed, its sickening!

      Don't talk about these police that driving around in a/c, see traffic violations, etc. and do absolutely NOTHING! They pass as if they don't even care, and these are supposed to be people that pledge to upload our LAWS??? Give me a break... I see more police officers, and police vehicle picking up lunch than I do see enforcing our laws! It is high time to resolve this silliness.

      On the busiest of days with ships, people driving on sidewalks, people holding up traffic stopping at ATM's etc. I mean NOTHING IS POLICED! It just bothers me to the fullest. And then we call a police officer SUPER COP for doing HIS JOB?? I wish more of them endeavoured to be super cops and not just sit under a/c and do didly squat!
    • wow (14/11/2019, 02:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I totally agree with the previous comment. In my View I just don't understand why there are so many Officers in the Police Force, but yet there is hardly a presence of those by passing in vehicles much less foot patrol. We need to see more visibility of Officers on the Beat, not riding around in AC vehicles as if it's their personal transport.
  • rewrsdffds (12/11/2019, 10:19) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Cause no police ever on the road. no (proper) background check does be done on these people....
  • No Carrots (12/11/2019, 10:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well well what a thing! They should have never put Bugs Bunny favorite veggie in the man pea soup. On a serious not I'm glad no one was injured in the madness
  • Uncle (12/11/2019, 10:55) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job Boss.
    You did it like a boss.
    That man could have killed someone or injured a few of us.
    He need to be checked out seriously before he get released.
  • GG (12/11/2019, 11:13) Like (33) Dislike (11) Reply
    look at that - it was possible to arrest a black man brandishing a weapon without killing him
    • NezRez (12/11/2019, 18:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Because we are not in the U.S. No matter what our problems, the police do not just kill us, because we are part of them and live closely together. Thank goodness Mr. Freeman was there because so many could have been seriously chopped or killed. Praises again Mr. Freeman, you did very good! To Commissioner Matthews, you have to be very grateful for this citizens arrest. He took control when there was no one else there to help. He needs to get a medal of bravery.
  • The TRUTH (12/11/2019, 11:28) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    On the first plane...
  • wellness (12/11/2019, 11:39) Like (27) Dislike (12) Reply
    Who will pay for my vehicle damage? I made a report to the police and they told me to go back there today to make a statement my car was park. estimate is 1,725.00 and am sure others have estimate as well.
    If he is a non belonger ,the deportation process should begin .These are perfect example of undesirables living within our community.
    • Hmmmm (12/11/2019, 12:30) Like (10) Dislike (28) Reply
      A really fast estimate. Post it online or shut the hell up. You need deporting as well.
      • Patrol Zone (12/11/2019, 13:23) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        Some areas in Town must be recognized as Police patrol Zone FROM 8am until ...1/ FROM bobby's to Banco Popular down to first caribbean bank.. 2/ From the round about across to Rite Way up main street across JNC Sunday morning well, Down to flow....3/ Wickhams Cay around to main street....Thats my suggestion because police visibility prevent a lot of bad stuff from happening...
        • Actually (12/11/2019, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
          It's proper investigation ,inquiries and documentation that would " prevent a lot of bad stuff from happening."
          Pre massive human import of those who claim to invite themselves to these shores to" build us up" I didn't even know BVI had police now allyo begging them to be on every corner so that we look like dangerous ferocious natives as in other parts and advertise that certain kinda folks live here. Drain the swamp and be done.
    • TskTsk (12/11/2019, 13:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wellness, if he is a belonger, then please state your example..??.. Quick to state examples and estimates. You seem like those ones who like to air our their laundry in social media. Why you had to give so much information? Will it by helpful here? SMH.
  • Devil Juice (12/11/2019, 12:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yardie got way too drunk iyah. Something/Someone caused him to go berserk. Humble bredda mon.
  • lol (12/11/2019, 12:45) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    BOSS IS NOT PLAYING SINCE THE SPEAKER PUT THOSE WORDS UNDER HIM
  • Prices (12/11/2019, 13:08) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    The prices at supermarket send him crazy.
  • tretretrete (12/11/2019, 13:11) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Once crazy always crazy. Just a matter of time before the next episode. Then it may be worst .. Send him back where he come from to get help there.......
  • Hmm (12/11/2019, 13:12) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Maybe he found out there were carrots in his pea soup. lol
    • No Carrots (12/11/2019, 13:24) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Lmao....I said the same thing cause people went berserk over carrots in pea soup the other day....you never hear them carry on so about important matters but carrots made them go wacko
      • Russo (12/11/2019, 15:50) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Most people are serious about representation of their culture and they should be. Some ah we are a zero bundle of nothingness..no culturar no language.dont even know their name and are very comfortable in their nothingness. Too bad that they procreate but live and let live is my motto.
  • Hmm (12/11/2019, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonder who sent him for “blood”?
  • my 2 cents (12/11/2019, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i don't get it. a few years ago, i believe police was chasing someone in a vehicle in the area of Cane Garden Bay (or close by), and a civilian did not get involved and was charged because it was their duty to get involved and they didn't. now the commissioner is saying the public should not get involved? personally, i would prefer civilians do not get involved unless they are willing to and the situation warrants action (as is the case here), but from a legal perspective, which one is Mr. Commissioner?
    • Fan the Flame (13/11/2019, 10:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ my 2 cents, can you please read and try understand what you read. The Commissioner never said not to get involve, what he says is that he will encourage citizens not to take unnecessary risk, meaning not to put yourself in harms way. The man was armed and Boss took the unnecessary risk to disarmed him, while doing so he could have gotten chop, that’s what the commissioner is talking about. Thanks to the effort of Boss to get that man under control. Further it is the duty of all citizens when call upon by the police to render assistance to do so, failure to do so is an offense and you can be charge, it’s in the law and that is why that Cane Garden Bay resident was charge. It was a situation where a woman police needed assistance to arrest a man, she called upon the resident to assist and he refused even though he witness the woman police been assaulted, that’s why he was charged and got convicted in court.
  • old (12/11/2019, 20:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Police spend more time in their home than on the job .police need to step it up in Road Town it time.
  • Cost of living (12/11/2019, 21:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    His landlord maybe raise his rent and food expense too high and he didn’t have no money left for food after he paid all his bills so he went BERSERK
    • tretretrete (12/11/2019, 23:46) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sensible comment, for all we know could be true. Desperate situation! He either took something or something made him go wacko. Cost of living after IrMaria in the BVI has tripled terribly and many are finding it hard here. It is sad!

      Thanks to Mr Freeman for his swift actions. God bless you Sir! I am glad to know no one was harmed. I don’t think I could bear reading ‘massacre high day in Road Town’ as a headline. I hope they get blood samples to rule out illegal substance.
  • Citizen (13/11/2019, 01:52) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Aryo calling for police to be be through Road Town on futy? Well, aryo better be ready to pay into the treasury when aryo break the traffic laws. Runing red light, dark tints, cell phone to ear while driving, just to name a few.
    Take note and obey the traffic laws people.
    Yes I agreed that it should have police all through town.
    My concern is they never around when needed to direct tragic.
    • N/A (13/11/2019, 09:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      How the F do you pronounce ARYO! Y'all so sickening with these words man.
  • Me nuh (13/11/2019, 05:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems the only word some people know is 'deport'. LOL
  • guy hill (13/11/2019, 05:31) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Devil Demon possessed individual. Get help son.
  • Tortorlian (13/11/2019, 05:42) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is no joke .It could have been me or you.We live in a world that sll of us have some kind of mental sickness. Sorry to know what happened and wish him well. Also thanks to Boss.
  • Real Talk (13/11/2019, 05:44) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Maybe the Jamaica gal by Crandall the ghetto one talk all is money and he going crazy.
  • Lily Ann (13/11/2019, 11:13) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    That white powder
  • Peaches (15/11/2019, 12:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Freeman you look experienced. What kind of lock down you have on him there? You should consider joining the Police Force.


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