ST. THOMAS — A woman is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly dousing a neighbor with used motor oil as the woman returned home from work, splashing the substance into her eyes and soaking her head and clothing during an incident in Hospital Ground.
Police responding Sunday afternoon found the alleged victim covered in oil. She told officers that she had been walking home from work when she noticed a woman, later identified as Nicole Prinsloo, running toward her carrying a container of used motor oil.
According to the probable cause factsheet, Prinsloo began throwing the oil into the woman’s face as she approached. The victim told police that the oil entered her eyes, causing a burning sensation and blurring her vision.
She attempted to get away, but Prinsloo allegedly continued following her and pouring the oil over her head, eventually drenching her in the substance.
Several vehicles in the surrounding area were also splashed with oil during the incident, police said.
The woman’s roommate reportedly called for assistance, prompting several people nearby to intervene.
As the roommate attempted to help the oil-covered woman, Prinsloo allegedly grabbed him, breaking a chain he was wearing and leaving scratches on his neck.
Police later questioned Prinsloo about what had happened.
According to investigators, she admitted pouring used motor oil on the woman and said she had been acting on an instruction from God to “sanctify” her because, in Prinsloo’s view, the woman looked “evil.”
Officers said Prinsloo subsequently began providing them with information they described as “unrelated, disorganized, and confused.”
Police did not identify any prior confrontation between the two women or describe another apparent motive for the alleged attack.
Prinsloo was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, simple assault, destruction of property, second-degree reckless endangerment and disturbance of the peace.
She was remanded into custody pending her Advice of Rights hearing before Magistrate Judge Simone VanHolten-Turnbull.
