The incident allegedly occurred in this area on Dec. 17, 2011. Photo: VINO

Jerry Castro and Kevon Baronville appeared before Magistrate Tamia Richards to each answer one count of being armed with an offensive weapon with the intent to commit a criminal act. Castro, 18 pleaded not guilty to the offense, while Baronville pleaded guilty.

According to Crown Counsel Herbert Potter, around 5 p.m. on December 17, 2011, Officer Callwood was on mobile patrol along Flemming Street and in the vicinity of O’Neal Gas station observed two men in a heated argument over two cells phones.

He allegedly heard them threatening to stab each other with knives they were both holding.

Crown Counsel Potter further stated that when Callwood intervened, Baronville, 20, allegedly put his knife away while Castro, a Virgin Islander, kept his weapon in his hand. Asked what was going on, Castro allegedly replied that Baronville stole his mobile phone and refused to hand it over to him while Baronville claimed Castro stole his mobile phone.

“They were both cautioned that it was an offense to have the knives and officer Callwood asked the two to hand over the knives to him but they refused,” Crown Counsel Potter told the Court.

In light of this, the traffic officer contacted the Road Town Police Station for backup and when the officers arrived, the duo allegedly ran off with officers giving chase.

Castro was caught in the vicinity of Ward’s building with the knife in his pants waist and Baronville by the traffic lights but he had allegedly thrown away his knife.

The two were taken to the police station and officially charged.

Castro was offered $10,500 bail with one signed surety, had to surrender his passport and must report to the Road Town Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. His trial will begin on March 16, 2012. He will be unrepresented.

Meanwhile, Baronville, an American citizen, will be sentenced on Friday January 27, 2012 but in the meantime was offered bail in the sum of $20,000 and had to surrender his travel documents.