By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
LA REINE — A man armed with scissors was tased and arrested Wednesday morning after forcing his way behind the counter at the La Reine McDonald’s to serve himself food and drinks.
Kevin Wattley Jr. faces misdemeanor charges of disturbance of the peace, trespassing, and vagrancy following a foot chase and physical struggle with police along Centerline Road.
At approximately 8:24 a.m., officers Sherma Aurelien and Kevin Augustin responded to the restaurant after the McDonalid’s supervisor reported Wattley in the kitchen area. The supervisor stated Wattley entered between 8:00 and 8:20 a.m. wearing multiple layers of clothing, bypassed the counter, and began taking food and drinks.
A Pattern of Disruption
The supervisor informed police that Wattley had engaged in similar behavior on Monday and Tuesday, despite prior warnings from officers not to return. During Wednesday’s incident, employees and customers feared for their safety because Wattley was holding a pair of scissors.
After initially leaving the premises, Wattley returned at 9:58 a.m. while police were still on the scene. He once again attempted to access the kitchen, shouting profanities and ordering employees to move out of his way. Officers ordered him to leave, and he briefly complied.
Foot Pursuit and Taser Deployment
Because the restaurant decided to press charges, officers began searching the surrounding area and located Wattley near Centerline Car Rental. When approached, Wattley fled on foot but was quickly taken to the ground by Augustin.
During the arrest, Wattley braced his body and concealed his hands under his torso, clutching the scissors in his right hand. Augustin successfully disarmed him, but Wattley continued to actively resist.
Augustin deployed his stun gun in dry-stun mode twice; the first attempt was ineffective due to Wattley’s layered clothing. Officers Jonah Smith and Orville Osborne assisted in securing Wattley’s wrists in two joined handcuffs to complete the arrest.
Misdemeanor Charges Filed
Wattley later told police that a man had questioned why he was begging on the street when he could just walk into the establishment and take whatever he wanted. Police noted Wattley is known to suffer from some type of mental illness.
He was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Police Station for processing, and then remanded to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility on $500 bail. According to court records filed Thursday morning, the case is classified as a lesser misdemeanor, and Wattley is being represented by the Office of the Territorial Public Defender.
