CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The sharing of his image on social media let a St. Thomas man know he was wanted by the law — and he did the right thing — and voluntarily surrendered himself to police, authorities said.
Joseph Alexander Lee, 32, of Paul M. Pearson Gardens, was arrested at 6 p.m. Tuesday and charged with third-degree assault, disturbance of the peace, simple assault and aggravated assault & battery, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Lee was identified as the individual who stabbed the victim during a physical altercation at a business in Estate Thomas on November 22,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
Bail for Lee was set at $25,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
Steven Phillip, St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island District Chief of Police, thanked the many citizens who shared the wanted poster that was posted on the VIPD’s social media accounts.
“It was due to the sharing of the posts that the suspect learned that he was wanted, and he did the right thing and turned himself in” Chief Phillip said. “Let’s continue to work together, the community and the Department, to achieve our goal of safety in the Virgin Islands.”
Chief Phillip encourages everyone who has information on crimes to contact police by calling 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS. Remember, if you see something, say something.
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.