The VIPD has not provided mugshots of the suspects. Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
ST. THOMAS — Two taxi drivers have been formally charged in connection with a violent altercation that escalated into a vehicle collision near Subbase in late March. One of the men, identified as Sixto Alfredo Peralta Roa, is in St. Thomas as an illegal immigrant, according to a witness's account.
Police were first called to the area near Calvary Christian Academy on March 30, following reports of an assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Mario De Los Santos, who claimed he had been attacked by “Alfredo” following a confrontation over loud music. De Los Santos told officers the incident began in Subbase, where he approached Peralta Roa about the volume of his music. In response, Peralta Roa allegedly attacked him with glass bottles.
De Los Santos attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, but said Peralta Roa pursued him, resulting in a car collision. He reported being struck on the hand with a rock and hit at the back of the head with a glass bottle.
Officers located Peralta Roa near Pueblo in Subbase. According to him, it was De Los Santos who had first acted aggressively, brandishing what appeared to be a box cutter. Peralta Roa claimed he was injured by the blade and responded by throwing bottles in self-defense. Police reviewed surveillance footage, but noted that the video was inconclusive due to the distance of the cameras.
In early April, both men submitted formal statements to the Criminal Investigation Bureau, largely repeating their original accounts. Peralta Roa said he did not initially realize he was following De Los Santos in his vehicle after the confrontation. He claimed De Los Santos made a sudden stop near a tire shop in Altona, which caused the crash. Following the collision, Peralta Roa said he was attacked again with a knife, sustaining additional injuries.
De Los Santos told police the conflict may have stemmed from a personal dispute involving Peralta Roa and his son. He said he had paid Peralta Roa’s bar tab, which led to tensions the following day when repayment was refused. A relative of Peralta Roa later settled the debt. Peralta Roa acknowledged a disagreement over drinks from a few months prior and claimed De Los Santos had brandished a knife during that encounter as well, though it did not escalate further.
An eyewitness, also a taxi driver, told police she saw Peralta Roa strike De Los Santos from behind with a beer bottle while he was standing outside Pueblo. According to her, De Los Santos fell to the ground, and Peralta Roa ran into the store, retrieved a glass bottle from a trash bin, and broke it on a railing before being interrupted by bystanders. She also said Peralta Roa threw rocks at De Los Santos as he tried to drive away.
The woman stated that Peralta Roa had a history of causing disturbances in the area and admitted she had previously avoided reporting his behavior due to his undocumented status.
De Los Santos's son also gave a statement, telling police that he had disengaged from a confrontation with Peralta Roa earlier that day and was walking toward Pueblo when he noticed a disturbance. He said he saw Peralta Roa dig through a trash bin for a bottle and attempted to restrain him with a bear hug, but Peralta Roa broke free and continued throwing rocks.
Investigators cited inconsistencies in the two men’s accounts and found no conclusive surveillance evidence. They also noted that the injuries sustained by Peralta Roa appeared consistent with those caused by a bladed weapon. Given the available evidence, both men were arrested on Thursday and charged with third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and disturbance of the peace. They were remanded into custody pending their court appearances.
On Friday, Magistrate Simone Van Holten Turnbull found probable cause to uphold all charges. Peralta Roa was permitted to post $1,000 of his $25,000 bail in cash, with the remainder secured by an unsecured bond. De Los Santos was ordered to post 10% of his bail, with the rest also secured by an unsecured bond.
Both men must report to the probation office twice weekly and are ordered to remain at least 25 feet apart from each other at all times. Their next court hearing is scheduled for May 30.
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