Mugshot of Kertise Tonge Jr. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — Bail has been set for a man who violated a restraining order and slashed his ex-girlfriend's tire.
On Saturday night police were dispatched to the vicinity of Freedom City where they made contact with Kertis Tonge Jr. who requested assistance to retrieve his belongings from his ex-girlfriend's residence.
When police contacted the woman she stated that Tonge had a TV and TV stand at her residence which could be picked up. The woman then gave the officer directions to her home. When police arrived the woman reported that Tonge had been at her residence earlier that day before he called police. She told police that he had flattened the tire of her vehicle and that she has made previous reports of him damaging her vehicle. The officer noted the damages to the vehicle, observing that the right rear tire was slashed and flattened.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the woman told police that she feared for her life because Tonge had threatened that she would go missing and that he would kill her. Investigations revealed that the woman has a temporary restraining order against Tonge which was signed by a judge on August 1st 2022.
The woman handed over the TV and TV stand to police and the officer secured it in the police vehicle. When contact was made with Tonge, he admitted to going to the woman's house earlier that day and also admitted to flattening her tire because he did not want her to leave her home. However, he denied threatening her. He was subsequently arrested and charged with destruction of property and contempt of court, both as crimes of domestic violence.
He appeared for a bail hearing on Monday and the judge noted with concern that he has a prior felony conviction and that he ignored the restraining order. It has also been alleged that the defendant has continued to contact the victim even after he was arrested on the current charges.
Bail was set at $1,000 and Tonge must post the full amount in cash in order to be released. He will be released to a third-party custodian with whom he must reside while this matter remains pending.
Tonge will be placed on 24-hour house arrest with an electronic monitor for the duration of this matter. He has been ordered to remain 1000 feet away from his ex girlfriend and is prohibited from entering the premises where she resides. He has also been ordered to have absolutely no contact with her.
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