The Virgin Islands Police Department has not released a mugshot of the suspect. This article will be updated if one becomes available.
ST. JOHN — The proprietor of an auto shop was arrested this week after reportedly assaulting a customer over a disagreement on price.
According to court documents, police were dispatched to Daniel Auto Shop in Coral Bay, St. John, following a report of an assault in progress. Responding officers spoke to a man who said that he had made an agreement with Daniel Mobley, the proprietor, to rent his lot for approximately $200. That would have allowed him to repair his vehicle with Mr. Mobley’s assistance, police were told.
After the two men had already agreed on price and the vehicle was on the lot, Mobley reportedly decided that the quoted price was too low. Rather than pay the extra money being demanded, the vehicle owner said he instead began making preparations to leave.
The man told police that he bent down to take the pack of beers he had brought when Mobley reportedly hit him over the head with a bottle. The man said that he responded by taking his attacker to the ground and then punching him in the face before disengaging. Mobley reportedly grabbed the handle of an automotive jack and attack again, but the man said that he was able to disarm the repair shop owner before calling for police assistance.
Officers noted the laceration on the left side of the man’s head, the broken beer bottle on the ground, and the jack handle inside the vehicle where the man said he had thrown it after taking it away from his attacker.
For his part, Mobley said that he never had any agreement with the vehicle’s owner, and claimed that it was the other man who became aggressive after being asked to leave the property. Mr. Mobley claimed that it was the other man who struck first but could not recall if he had been hit with a rock or a fist. Police did not a laceration under Mobley’s right eye.
Notwithstanding his explanation, Mobley was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and disturbance of the peace. He was then remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing.
In court on Wednesday, Mobley appeared before Magistrate Julie Smith Todman, who found probable cause to uphold the charges against him. Bail was set at $25,000, but Mobley was given the opportunity to pay five percent of that sum in cash to secure his release ahead of trial. Once free from detention, Mr. Mobley will be required to report to the probation office in person each week. He will also be prohibited from consuming alcohol or any other controlled substance while the case is pending, and must stay at least 25 feet away from his alleged victim at all times.
Mr. Mobley’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 13.
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