The police arrested Joseph Avila of St. Thomas Tuesday for striking a man in the head with a glass bottle in March, the V.I. Police Department reported.
At approximately 11:25 a.m., Avila was detained in the area of Pueblo in Sub Base in reference to an assault. Avila was questioned and admitted to being in a vehicle on Crown Mountain roadway on March 1, along with the victim, when a physical altercation ensued between them both. Avila did admit to striking the victim in the head, according to the police report.
Shortly after, at about 12:04 p.m., Avila, 54, was arrested for assault in the third degree after being positively identified by the victim as the individual who struck him with a glass bottle to the head, causing serious physical injury. He also faces a disturbance of the peace charge, the police report stated.
Avila was unable to post bail, which was set at $25,000. He was booked, processed, and turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating this case. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Detective D. Greenaway-Thomas at 340-774-2211 extension 5574, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
