ST. THOMAS — A woman who allegedly smashed the glass louvers of an Estate Nadir residence with a hammer told police she had done so after calling 911 for help and becoming frustrated when officers would not provide her transportation, according to court records.
Joan Sandstrom was arrested in the predawn hours Monday after police responded to a 911 report from a residence in Estate Nadir.
The woman who lived at the home told officers she had been awakened shortly before 3 a.m. by barking dogs and her children pounding on her bedroom door. The children told their parents that someone had broken the glass louvers in a spare room.
When the woman went to investigate, she reportedly saw a hand reaching through the broken window. She immediately retreated to her bedroom and called 911.
Her husband exited through the rear of the home and walked around to the front, where he encountered Sandstrom.
According to the probable cause account, Sandstrom told him that she had been robbed and asked him to call police. She also allegedly said she had already broken windows at another residence but police had not responded.
Sandstrom then placed a hammer on a table outside the home, police were told.
When officers arrived and spoke with Sandstrom, she reportedly said she had previously contacted 911 after being robbed and asked police for assistance getting to her destination.
According to the court account, Sandstrom said the dispatcher informed her that police could not provide taxi service. She then blamed the lack of assistance for her decision to break the window at the Estate Nadir residence.
Officers documented three broken glass louvers and recovered the hammer from the scene.
Sandstrom was detained and transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center emergency room after complaining of dizziness. After receiving medical treatment and being cleared, she was taken to the Richard N. Callwood Command, where she was booked.
She was charged with destruction of property and disturbance of the peace.
Sandstrom appeared Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Julie Smith Todman for her Advice of Rights hearing. Public court records show that she is scheduled to return for arraignment on October 23.
