St. Thomas Man Who Sicced Attack Dog On Police Officer Charged With Assault: VIPD

St. Thomas Man Who Sicced Attack Dog On Police Officer Charged With Assault: VIPD

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man who allegedly turned his attack dog loose on a police officer in Old Tutu was arrested today after he voluntarily turned himself in without incident, authorities said.

Jo’Quanni Cumberbatch, 26, of Annas Retreat, was arrested at 2:38 p.m. today and charged with third-degree assault, aggravated assault on law enforcement officer, disturbance of the peace, second-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with officer discharging his duty, inciting dog to attack, and dog at large (failure to leash), the Virgin Islands Police Department said.

St. Thomas Man Who Sicced Attack Dog On Police Officer Charged With Assault: VIPD
VIPD mugshot of Jo’Quanni Cumberbatch, 26, of Anna’s Retreat on St. Thomas.

Cumberbatch was arrested regarding an incident that occurred on February 16, when officers were dispatched to his residence to investigate a report of shots fired, according to the VIPD.

“Officers encountered Cumberbatch who verbally challenged officers,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “During the confrontation, Cumberbatch’s dog, which was not restrained, attacked an officer.”

The VIPD issued a wanted posted for Cumberbatch today prior to his voluntarily turning himself into authorities without incident.

St. Thomas Man Who Sicced Attack Dog On Police Officer Charged With Assault: VIPD
WANTED POSTER: Issued today by the VIPD in connection to a vicious Old Tutu dog attack in February allegedly directed by Jo’Quanni Cumberbatch, 26, of Anna’s Retreat on St. Thomas.

Bail for Cumberbatch was set at $25,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.