Chavez Ali, left, and the scene of the arson incident at 152 Humbug on St. Croix. Photo Credit: MUGSHOT PROVIDED BY THE V.I.P.D.
ST. CROIX — A man who set on fire his grandfather's house because of a dispute with his father was arrested on Friday and is facing several felony charges, according to information provided by the V.I. Police Department.
Chavez Ali, age 28, was charged with first-degree arson, grand larceny, and destruction of property.
According to the V.I.P.D., on Friday at about 9:31 a.m. the 911 Emergency Call Center received notification of an arson incident at 152 Humbug on St. Croix. Both the V.I. Fire and Emergency Services and the V.I.P.D. responded. Fire Service Companies A and C were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they found a fully involved fire at the residence. The VIFEMS crews quickly worked to extinguish the fire and prevent any potential risk to neighboring homes.
The fire was extinguished within the hour of arrival on scene and no injuries were reported, according to the release. VIFES said that to ensure the fire was completely doused, assistance was provided by two other units, Companies M & F, with the V.I. Police Department and St. Croix Rescue also responding.
V.I.P.D. Investigation
A preliminary investigation by the VIPD's Criminal Investigations Bureau revealed that on Friday morning, 911 received notification of an arson at 152 Humbug. The complainant stated that he left his father’s home locked and secured Thursday, and on Friday he received a call from his son who stated that he needed a ride from his grandfather’s house. The complainant stated that he refused to provide the ride and told the suspect to leave the residence. He further stated that when he arrived at his father’s house, he saw his son in the front of the property acting erratically, so he called for police and left to meet the officers. However, when he returned to the house it was engulfed in flames.
The complainant identified the suspect as his son, Chavez Ali, who was subsequently detained and later arrested. Police charged the suspect with first-degree arson, grand larceny, and destruction of property, with bail set at $75,000. He was unable to post bail and was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advisement hearing on Monday.
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