An alleged case of reckless driving involving a stolen vehicle led to the arrest of a St. Thomas man and a $300 traffic ticket. What comes next for the defendant — arrested on Monday after crashing into a police car as he tried to flee the scene — depends on a judge’s ruling.
Defendant Valmon Glasford made an initial appearance before Superior Court Magistrate Paula Norkadis on Tuesday. Police responding to the scene of a stolen vehicle provided details of a Monday night encounter that began on Kronprindsens Gade near a fast food stand.
Court documents say pursuit of the suspect led to the bottom of Mafolie Hill and uphill to the scenic overlook near Drake’s Seat. Along the way, the suspect allegedly crashed into a police cruiser that used its lights and siren to make Glasford pull over.
At the overlook, pursuit of the vehicle came to an end, but the chase did not. “The foot pursuit took us to the lookout, where I made contact with Mr. Valmon Glassford hiding behind a white vehicle. There was a citizen also standing next to the white vehicle yelling at Mr. Glassford to get away from him. I ordered Mr. Valmon Glassford to stop and put his hands up.” said Officer Jmoy Francis.
Continued resistance by the suspect and continued demands for him to surrender led one officer to deploy a Taser, according to the probable cause fact sheet submitted to the court. Glasford was then taken into custody and transported to the Roy L. Schneider Hospital for treatment of puncture wounds from the Taser.
In court on Tuesday, Norkadis upheld charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, resisting arrest, destruction of government property, disobeying the orders of a police officer, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
Bail was set at $5,000 plus a $300 traffic ticket. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 15.
