Mugshot of Francisco Cruz Santiago. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department has announced the arrest of Francisco Cruz Santiago on charges of attempted murder, as well as first- and second-degree assault.
According to the VIPD, officers were dispatched to the Level Up Service Station at about 8:30 Friday morning, in response to reports of someone making threats with a baseball bat. Responding officers met Santiago still holding the bat. Speaking to the complainant, police learned that the two men had gotten into an argument over a chair.
At one point in the verbal dispute, Santiago reportedly filled a water bottle with gasoline, which he used to douse his opponent. He then allegedly used a lighter in an attempt to set the man alight, but failing that, he placed the complainant into a chokehold, cutting off his air supply until the other man lost consciousness, the VIPD said.
A bystander reportedly eventually separated the two, after which the victim regained consciousness. Santiago, now armed with a metal baseball bat, then attempted to strike his opponent with the weapon.
He was ultimately arrested and charged, and remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility on $100,000 bail, pending his first court appearance.
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