FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man went to get his belongings from a woman’s apartment and began to strangle her when she said the relationship was over, authorities said.
Shawki Thomas, 29, was arrested Wednesday about 1 p.m. and charged with second-degree assault-domestic violence and grand larceny, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
No bail was set as per the domestic violence law. Thomas was transported to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of an assault that occurred at Lagoon Street Housing Complex about 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, according to the VIPD.
“A female reported that a male acquaintance, 29-year-old Shawki Thomas came to her apartment to retrieve his personal belongings and he became enraged when she confirmed that their relationship was over,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said.
“She stated that Mr. Thomas held her down onto her couch while he strangled her,” Dratte said. “The female said Thomas then ripped her chain off her neck and forcefully took her cellular phone from her hand.”
The woman sustained injuries because of the assault, police said.
Thomas was “advised of his Miranda Rights and admitted to struggling with the female for the cellular phone,” according to police.