The VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspect. This story will be updated if one is provided. Seen above, the Cyril E. King Airport. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM.
ST. THOMAS — A Christmas Day dispute between taxi operators on St. Thomas has led to assault and conspiracy charges against a man accused of helping his brother attack a licensed taxi driver, who told police he was held in a bear hug while being beaten with a metal baton.
The incident reportedly began around 4 p.m. on December 25, 2025, as the taxi driver was in his licensed taxi approaching the taxi stand at the Cyril E. King Airport. The man told police that a black Cadillac Escalade pulled out in front of him, prompting him to blow his horn. He recognized the Escalade as a gypsy cab driven by Mohammad Abdel Muhsen, according to the report.
The taxi driver said Muhsen pulled up alongside him near the taxi stand, cursed at him, and then drove away. Shortly afterward, the man said he began receiving phone calls from a number he recognized as belonging to the gypsy cab driver. When he answered one of the calls, Muhsen reportedly said he wanted to meet at the Crown Bay Center to talk things out.
The taxi driver told police he agreed and drove to the meeting location. After exiting his vehicle, he was approached by Muhsen’s brother, Walid Tawfiq Daoud Abdel Muhsen. The driver said Walid was armed with a black handgun holstered on his hip.
According to the taxi driver, Walid wrapped him in a bear hug, pinning his arms against his body. Mohammad then reportedly stepped behind him and began striking him with a metal baton.
The man said he remained trapped in Walid’s hold while Mohammad assaulted him. After some time, he was released and fell to the ground, where the assault continued, according to his account. After the beating, Mohammad reportedly used the baton to strike the man’s taxi van, damaging it, before leaving with his brother.
Emergency medical technicians were called to transport the injured taxi driver to the hospital. His treatment included multiple metal staples to close two wounds to his head.
A witness to the incident shared cellphone footage of the assault with police. The images reportedly showed two Arabic men involved in an altercation with the licensed taxi driver.
Nearly five months after the assault, police located Walid Muhsen at Muhsen Market in Savan. He was arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in first and third-degree assault, use of a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence, brandishing a deadly weapon in a fight, destruction of property, and disturbing the peace. He was also charged with conspiracy to commit assault and remanded into custody.
Muhsen appeared before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull on Tuesday for his advice of rights hearing. She found probable cause to uphold the charges against him, but modified his $75,000 bail requirement to allow him to post 10 percent of the amount in cash to secure his release from detention.
While the case is pending, Muhsen must report to the probation office in person each week and comply with other standard bail conditions, including restrictions on travel, weapons, and controlled substances.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 29.
As of press time, Consortium journalists are unaware of any arrest records for Mohammad Muhsen.
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