ST. THOMAS — A man accused of taking his ex-girlfriend’s phone during a physical struggle and brandishing what she described as a handgun is facing felony domestic-violence and weapons charges, although he told police that the weapon was a BB gun.
Chainye Toussaint was arrested Thursday after the woman reported that he had assaulted her and threatened her with a firearm. Police were unable to recover the weapon from the location where Toussaint said he had discarded it.
The woman told police that the events leading to the confrontation began Wednesday when she went to play basketball with friends. The group later moved from the University of the Virgin Islands to Griffith Ballpark to continue socializing.
As they gathered their belongings to leave, Toussaint reportedly approached his ex-girlfriend. She said she drove away to avoid a confrontation and spent the night at a friend’s home because she was concerned for her safety.
The following morning, the woman returned home to change before work. When she exited the residence, she noticed Toussaint sitting beside the house.
She continued walking while speaking with friends on her mobile phone, but Toussaint ordered her to end the call, according to the report.
When she refused, he repeated the demand and attempted to take the phone from her. He eventually gained possession of the device, and a physical struggle followed as the woman tried to retrieve it.
During the confrontation, she told Toussaint that their relationship was over and that she did not owe him any loyalty. She said he responded by removing a handgun from his waistband.
The struggle over the phone continued until the woman’s friends arrived in the area because they were concerned about her safety. Toussaint initially rode away with the device, but soon returned and threw it onto the ground.
After he left a second time, the woman contacted police.
Officers located Toussaint at his residence and transported him to the police station for questioning. He reportedly admitted to the allegations but maintained that the weapon was a BB gun rather than a firearm.
Toussaint told investigators that he had discarded the gun in a trash container near the woman’s residence. Police searched for it but were unable to locate it.
He was arrested and charged with third-degree assault as a crime of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm and disturbance of the peace. He was remanded into custody pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
During Friday’s court proceeding, Magistrate Julie Smith Todman found probable cause to uphold the charges.
Bail was set at $15,000, with Toussaint required to post $3,000 in cash to secure his release. The remaining amount may be signed as an unsecured bond.
If released, he must report to the probation office in person each week. On days when he is not scheduled to work, he must observe a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
On workdays, his curfew will run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and he must arrive home within 30 minutes of completing his shift. Toussaint must also comply with the other standard bail conditions imposed by the court.
His next court appearance is scheduled for July 31.
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