What appears to be random assaults on individuals within the community numbered high among the reports for the first three weeks of this year, the Royal Virgin Islands Police reported in a press release today, January 26, 2021. Photo: VINO/File

Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews has said he is concerned with what appears to be indiscriminate attacks on members of the community while attending to their duties, business and walking through their neighbourhoods. Photo: VINO/File

Ronald Antoine, 22, of Greenland was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, damaging property, resisting arrest, assault on police and escape lawful custody. Photo: VINO/File

Woman allegedly punched in face @ dumpster

It said on Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2021, a resident of East End reported that she went to throw her garbage into the dumpster next to the Willard Wheatley Primary School when a male, unknown to her, came out of his jeep and hit her in the face. 

Woman injured after hit with stone

In the second week of the month, the RVIPF said, a customer outside a bank on deCastro Street in Road Town was injured with a stone thrown by an unknown male across the street who was randomly spouting expletives and threats. The bank door was also damaged. She had to be treated at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital for her injuries.

Female police officer assaulted

The RVIPF added that the denial of one male’s request for the return of his confiscated scooter resulted in an assault on the attending female officer as well as the male officer that went to her aid, both of whom had to be treated at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

This was a story first reported by Virgin Islands News Online.

In this incident, Ronald Antoine, 22, of Greenland was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, damaging property, resisting arrest, assault on police and escape lawful custody.

Bank Security Officer assaulted

In the first week of January, a bank security officer reported being assaulted by a customer who was denied entry for not wearing a mask, a story first reported by Virgin Islands News Online.

2 bar attendants stabbed

And on two separate nights, two bar attendants reported being spat on and then stabbed with a knife by the same perpetrator at the same bar in East End.

Leonard Leando Frett, 61, of Vanterpool Estate was arrested and charged for wounding in that matter.

‘Uncivilised’ actions- CoP Matthews

Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews, according to the press release, is concerned with what appears to be indiscriminate attacks on members of the community while attending to their duties, business and walking through their neighbourhoods.

“It is never right for one person to inflict injury on another even in the heat of disputes. However, to subject another to injury just because they are carrying out their duties or worse with no apparent provocation is uncivilised.

“The public has a right to expect civility and restraint in our streets and workplaces. Our community-wide response needs to be a unified condemnation for such acts,” Commissioner Matthews said.