Ottley Smith refused to have his mugshot taken by law enforcement, according to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte. Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
ST. THOMAS — A man is facing the possibility of up to life in prison after being arrested and charged with over twenty offenses.
The charges against stem from an incident which reportedly took place around 10:00 p.m. on Friday.
Around midnight on Friday police were dispatched to Kronprindsens Gade in reference to a report of threats. Upon arrival, the complainant alleged that just hours earlier, an individual known as “Rasta Man” entered her residence with two firearms and instructed her five neighbors to leave. According to the woman, once her neighbors had exited, the individual shut the door behind them and placed one of the firearms in her mouth, threatening to kill her.
The victim said that he then ordered her to remove her clothing, jewelry and money and told her to call her friends and ask them to bring $2,500 to help pay her rent. However, according to police, in a follow up interview the woman later said that the intruder had requested between $20,000 to $25,000.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the woman was able to call a friend and advise them of her situation but the intruder took her phone and hung up the call. He then proceeded to rummage through her belongings while she was present. In a statement to police, the victim recounted that after she made the phone call an individual was sent to assist her. That individual made contact with the intruder and the victim and she seized the opportunity to escape to a nearby establishment where she hid in the bathroom. However, according to the victim, the intruder followed her, placed the gun in her mouth once more and ordered her to exit the bathroom.
When police arrived, the victim was able to show them a picture of the intruder and they identified him as Ottley Smith. Forensics personnel took pictures of an injury the victim sustained when Smith placed the weapon in her mouth. She told the officers that he had taken $340 in cash from her as well as jewelry valued at approximately $5,000.
Police attempted to apprehend Smith the very next day after a separate disturbance was reported in the Kronprindsens Gade area and officers discovered that he was involved. According to police, Smith evaded capture by running and hiding from officers who had instructed him to stop. Police reported hearing shots being fired immediately after each sighting of Smith.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, Smith made contact with the victim the following day, offering to return the items on condition that she told police that she no longer wished to pursue the case. The probable cause fact sheet states that Smith went to the woman's residence and returned the jewelry as well as $190 of the $340 he had reportedly taken. The woman told police that Smith also asked her for $20 to buy something to eat. Shortly thereafter, police arrived at the residence and Smith was taken into custody.
Smith was charged with a series of offenses including first-degree robbery, home invasion, first-degree assault, kidnapping for extortion, grand larceny and retaliating against or threatening a witness.
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