Editor’s note: Although the arrested party is legally an adult, we have made the decision not to publish names or identifying details due to both defendant and victim still being enrolled in high school.
ST. THOMAS — On Monday afternoon, just before 1:30 p.m., police were summoned to a high school on St. Thomas in reference to a robbery that had taken place on campus.
Responding officers met with school officials and a 10th-grade boy, who told them that about an hour earlier, he was accosted by an 11th grade student, who is over the age of 18. The older student reportedly demanded the younger boy’s gold chain, searching his pockets and threatening him with obscenities. Because the 11th grader was reportedly known for inflicting violence on other students, the younger boy disclosed that the chain was in the front pocket of his backpack. The older student opened the pocket and took the chain and a gold bracelet.
The 10th grader told police that his mother had bought him the chain as a reward for his improved grades. The bracelet, he said, was a gift from his cousin. Police subsequently obtained previously taken photographs of him wearing the items.
The older student was reportedly quizzed by school staff about the current whereabouts of the jewelry, and he agreed to have the person who was now in possession of the items bring them back.
With the items returned, the 11th-grader was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, third-degree robbery, and two counts of grand larceny. He was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections to await his advice of rights hearing.
In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold all the charges against the highschooler, ordering that he post $500 of his $25,000 bail amount to be released ahead of trial.
Now that the required payment has been made, the defendant will have to either remain enrolled in his current high school or, if expelled, contact relevant authorities to seek alternative education. He must also remain in the St. Thomas/St. John district, calling in to the probation office twice a week.
His next court appearance is scheduled for September 8.
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