Mugshot of Terrence Vidale. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A man is facing assault charges after he allegedly assaulted two police officers who attempted to detain him, leading to one officer being hospitalized.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, police were dispatched to a business in Christiansted on Friday morning in reference to a verbal dispute which was reportedly in progress at the time. Upon making contact with the owner of the establishment, she indicated that an unknown black male entered her shop with no mask and asked for ice for a drink he was holding. She refused him service and told him to put on a mask, to which he replied, “you don’t know me anyway, you [expletive] bitch.” He then left the establishment but returned seconds later, this time slamming the front door and stating “[expletive] bitch, I will shut your place down” before leaving the shop once more.
The woman provided police with a description of the man and informed them that she had observed him walking towards the Fort Christian area. While police made a check of the area, one officer indicated that the description of the suspect matched Terrance Vidale who she had previously encountered in relation to a similar incident at a different establishment about a week ago. Officers were able to find Vidale moments later based on the description provided.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, when one of the officers introduced himself, Vidale reportedly replied, “I am not giving a [expletive] statement” and continued walking away. He complied with the officer’s order to stop, but refused to let the officers speak as he kept interrupting and yelling, “you can’t [expletive] arrest me!” A crowd then began to form and an unknown female shouted, “why you fighting with the police just do what they say!” The officer then informed Vidale that he would have to be detained based on his actions and that he could be arrested for delaying an active investigation. Viadel in turn replied, “your [expletive] can’t arrest me!” Although the officers advised him to calm down and cooperate, Vidale reportedly continued yelling profanities and walked away.
As the male officer approached Vidale to detain him, he became combative and pushed the female officer, causing her to fall to the ground. According to police, Vidale also fell to the ground and then kicked the female officer to her left arm, upper chest and head. While the male officer attempted to handcuff Vidale he resisted by kicking that officer to the leg, chest and head. Two Federal Park Rangers then arrived and assisted in successfully handcuffing Vidale.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, the male officer suffered an abrasion to his left temple area which was bleeding. Meanwhile, the female officer was transported to the hospital to receive treatment for her swollen arm. Vidale was arrested and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections as he was unable to post bail in the sum of $1,000.
At his hearing on Monday morning, Vidale was informed that the court found probable cause to charge him with two counts of aggravated assault and battery, an offense which carries a maximum sentence of 1 year. He is also charged with disturbance of the peace and two counts of destruction of property as he damaged one officer’s watch and the other’s glasses during the struggle.
Attorney Katherine Slade requested that Vidale be released on the posting of 10 percent of his bail which was set at $1000. However, Assistant V.I. Attorney General Patricia Lynn Pryor asked that bail remain set at $1000, emphasizing that Vidale is charged with physically assaulting two police officers. She also noted that he has a pending charge against him and was on release in that matter when Friday’s incident occurred. According to Pryor, the defendant is considered a danger to the community and the charges against him in the other matter involve “serious allegations.”
Nevertheless, Slade stated that Vidale is currently unemployed and unable to post more than $300, which he would obtain with assistance. Judge Ernest Morris Jr affirmed that if the most recent charges against Vidale are to be believed, he has no regard for law enforcement and thus $300 would not be sufficient. Slade eventually submitted that the defendant can come up with $600. The judge then concluded that Vidale would be released on the posting of that amount and would be required to sign an unsecured bond for the remainder of the $1,000 bail.
Vidale is strictly prohibited from having any direct or indirect contact with the alleged victims as well as any potential witnesses in the matter. He is also forbidden from entering the business establishment where the initial incident took place.
