Mugshot of Maritza Gonzalez. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST CROIX — A woman appeared before a judge in the V.I. Superior Court on Wednesday after getting into an altercation with her partner over the sale of a generator, police say.
Maritza Gonzalez was arrested and charged on November 29 with third-degree assault as an act of domestic violence and disturbance of the peace by fighting, following a report of a domestic violence incident.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, police made contact with the complainant who stated that on Tuesday, he woke up from sleep and realized that his girlfriend, Maritza Gonzalez was attempting to sell his gas generator. He said he stopped the transaction between Gonzalez and a male individual and renegotiated the sale, selling it for $800 instead of the initial $500. He stated that after the sale, Gonzalez became violent because he did not share the money with her. Gonzalez picked up a broomstick and struck him multiple times about the body, causing injuries. He stated that he then left the area to avoid further conflict with Gonzalez.
When police made contact with Gonzalez, she stated that her boyfriend wanted the generator sold so she found a buyer for $500. She said that the complainant woke up angry with her and proceeded to sell the generator on his own. She said that after the sale, he refused to share the money with her so she struck him with the broomstick and said, “I would do it again but worse." Police observed scratches on the man’s chest and a laceration to his left hand, however he refused medical attention.
Gonzalez was then placed under arrest.
In court on Wednesday, a judge ruled that Gonzalez would be released upon the posting of $500 bail in cash, and the remainder of the $15,000 bail amount as an unsecured bond.
Gonzalez is barred from leaving St. Croix without the court’s written permission and must surrender her passport. She is to report to the Office of Probation every Tuesday and must have no contact with the complainant. Her next court appearance is on December 13, 2022.
