Mugshot of Derrick Callwood. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and took her vehicle without her permission is now facing several charges before the courts.
On Thursday morning, a woman called 911 to report that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, Derrick Callwood Sr. She said they had been at J’Ouvert when Callwood decided that he wanted to leave. While they were waiting for the woman’s friend near the restrooms on Veteran’s Drive Annex, he reportedly became upset at the delay and began dragging his girlfriend away from the venue.
The woman told police that his grip was so tight that she cried out in pain and began pleading with him to stop, which prompted a security guard to intervene. Callwood reportedly rebuffed the guard’s attempts to get him to stop, warding him off by declaring himself a police officer. He continued dragging the woman towards her vehicle parked near the Department of Finance, and she told police that she handed over the keys to avoid further disturbance.
Callwood, however, reportedly continued to complain that she was causing a scene, but nonetheless retrieved his belongings from her vehicle and handed the keys back. The woman told police that she began to walk away, but saw two people coming in the opposite direction who had frightened looks on their faces, causing her to look behind. Callwood was running towards her, she saw, and began dragging her again, fighting to get to her purse.
The enraged man reportedly took the car keys from the woman’s bag, got into the vehicle and drove off. The woman said that she returned to the venue to wait for her friend, and took no further action because she did not wish to get her police officer boyfriend in trouble. However, Callwood reportedly circled back in the woman’s vehicle and grabbed her by the head, dragging off the bonnet and shower cap she was wearing to protect her hair. He drove off again and she called 911 to report the incident.
Shortly afterward, some friends told her that Callwood had been involved in an auto collision around the corner.
Police spoke to the security guard, who confirmed the woman’s narrative. When Mr. Callwood was approached following the collision, he declined to give a statement and was arrested and charged with simple assault as a crime of domestic violence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and disturbance of the peace.
During his advice of rights hearing on Friday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull set bail at $1000. Callwood is required to check with with the probation office twice a week by telephone, and maintain his job as a Taxicab Commission enforcement officer, or commence a work search immediately if he is dismissed from his current position. He is banned from using alcohol and possessing firearms, ammunition or dangerous weapons while the trial is pending, and must remain at least 20 feet away from his girlfriend and any witnesses at all times. A public defender has been assigned to represent him.
The next court appearance for Mr. Callwood is scheduled for May 17.
