American Yacht Harbor in St. Thomas, USVI. (The V.I.P.D. has not provided a mugshot of the suspect). Photo Credit: MARINAS.COM
ST. THOMAS — Bail has been set at $75,000 for a man who allegedly threatened a store attendant with a gun after being asked to leave the establishment.
Police were summoned to a business establishment at American Yacht Harbor in the wee hours of Saturday morning in reference to a disturbance. Several people outside the business informed the responding officers that a man was inside with a gun. Inside the store they discovered an enraged male and observed several shelves tossed on the floor with items scattered. One officer attempted to calm the man identified as Sha’heel Matthias while the other sought information from the store attendant. Matthias continued to yell while an officer asked him to step outside and began to get louder as he kept pulling at the waist of his pants.
According to the probable cause fact sheet accompanying his arrest, Matthias tripped while removing his pants and pushed an officer who attempted to keep him from falling. He then knocked over more shelves and ran out through the back of the store. Although an officer pursued him, Matthias jumped over a railing from the second story and fell on his back before getting up and running away.
The store attendant later told police that Matthias had placed a handgun on the counter, tapped it at him and threatened to shoot him. The two were reportedly having an argument after the attendant asked Matthias to leave the store because he was loud. The employee later confirmed that the gun found in the store next to Matthias’ pants was the same weapon used to threaten him.
While obtaining information from the store attendant, an individual approached the officer and stated that they saw Matthias across the street laying on the ground. Officers proceeded to apprehend the suspect but while inside the police unit he began to kick the doors, breaking the door handle. The fact sheet notes that he sustained bruising and lacerations from jumping while attempting to evade officers.
He was subsequently charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, third-degree assault, unlawful possession of ammunition and destruction of property. Bail was set in the amount of $125,000. Investigations later revealed that Matthias had previously been arrested for carrying an unregistered firearm during a violent crime.
At his advisement hearing on Monday, Assistant V.I. Attorney General Brenda Scales highlighted the defendant’s criminal history as a troubling factor. She further expressed that he is a danger to the community, noting that he went to the extent of displaying a firearm over something as simple as being asked to leave the store. While Scales noted that Matthias was born in Puerto Rico, attorney Julie Todman countered that he had lived in the territory for 20 years and both his parents also reside in St. Thomas. Todman asked that the accused be allowed release on the posting of 10 percent of the bail figure.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Paula Norkaitis concluded that the defendant’s bail would be reduced to $75,000 but he would not be allowed a 10 percent provision.
If he is able to meet the required bail, Mathias will be placed on a 7pm to 6am daily curfew. Judge Norkaitis stated her concern that Matthias is a danger to the community and poses a flight risk due to the nature of the charges. He has been ordered to surrender all travel documents and is prohibited from leaving the territory without court permission while the matter is pending. His arraignment has been scheduled for January 21st.
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