FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man was arrested early today after police said he got in an argument with a woman which escalated to him “strangling” her and damaging property, authorities said.
Wayne A. Jerome, 23, of Estate Whim, was arrested at 3:42 a.m. today and charged with second-degree assault-domestic violence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Jerome is accused of assaulting his girlfriend and damaging property during a disagreement,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “According to the information I was given, Jerome allegedly pushed her causing her to hit her head, destroyed property inside the home and strangled her.”
Bail was not offered to Jerome as per the territory’s domestic violence statutes, the VIPD said. He was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
“The VIPD reminds the community that there is no excuse for domestic violence,” Derima said. “If you are a victim of domestic violence, or you are witness to ongoing domestic violence, call our Domestic Violence Unit at (340) 778-2211.”
At least one person took issue with the VIPD report on social media this afternoon.
“They need to stop lie he didn’t beat on me he just damage my things,” Pretty Aemilly said on Facebook. “Get your story right.”
But others were not so kind to the alleged strangler-perpetrator on Facebook.
“I bet you he won’t fight another man,” Avis Ronan said. “But he’ll beat a woman. Welp, he going to the right place. That visit will learn you.”
“Now he gets education by penetration,” Excelman Francis said.
“What a WPOS,” Paul Peters said.
“SMH,” Liveon Livefree said.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this news article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.