Mugshot of Kadeem Barnes. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Police arrested a man following a series of vandalism events at a small private school over two days, charging him with slew of felonies.
On October 11, police were alerted to a suspected unauthorized entry at the Calvary Christian Academy. The suspect, Kadeem Barnes, is thought to have entered the school through a rear door, leaving his driver’s license inside a classroom. No damage was reported at the time as part of the incident.
However, the next morning, police were summoned to the school after reports of what they describe as “extensive damage” to the property. The principal spoke to officers, saying she believed that Barnes was also responsible for this damage. A few hours later, an employee of the school reported that his vehicle was also damaged. A witness said it was Barnes once again, this time throwing rocks at vehicles in the school's parking lot.
At around 4:00 p.m. on the afternoon of October 12, police responded to the school for the third time that day, following reports that Barnes was once again throwing rocks at vehicles in the parking lot. However, he left the scene once one of the vehicle owners approached him.
Police investigations revealed a history of his presence in the vicinity of the school, with concerned citizens noting that Barnes was always accompanied by loud banging noises.
Officers tracked the suspect down shortly thereafter, and he “spontaneously” confessed to his previous infractions, according to documents before the court.
He reportedly confessed again in a video statement following his arrest after being transported to the Richard Callwood Command police station.
Barnes reportedly then requested help in leaving the territory, indicating that the Virgin Islands was no longer suitable for him. The suspect was instead charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of vandalism, three counts of damage to vehicles, and disturbance of the peace.
In court on Friday, Magistrate Paula Norkaitis found probable cause to uphold all charges against Barnes. Bail was set at $25,000, with a 10% cash provision. If released, he will be restricted to the St. Thomas/St. John district, and even further to the Simmonds Alley area. Barnes is banned from the vicinity of Calvary Christian Academy, the Calvary Baptist Church, and the parking lot associated with both facilities.
Magistrate Norkaitis also ordered a psychiatric evaluation by the Department of Health’s Division of Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse to determine a diagnosis, treatment, and whether he poses a danger to himself or others. The next scheduled court appearance for Barnes is on October 27.
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