A St. Thomas man was arrested on a warrant in the state of Georgia and extradited to the territory to face assault charges, the V.I. Police Department reported Friday.
On Aug. 1, Raheem Smith, 26, was detained in Douglas County, Georgia, after a warrant of arrest was obtained in regard to a situation involving Smith and a VIPD officer on March 14, 2022, according to the police report.
Officers were conducting a routine traffic stop when Smith grabbed a VIPD detective in a chokehold, and the detective was on the verge of losing consciousness and was incapacitated. Officers were able to separate Smith from the officer and he was subsequently detained, the police report stated.
Smith waived extradition and was returned to the territory to face the charges on the warrant, which are assault in the first degree, assault in the third degree, aggravated assault and battery, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Smith’s bail was set at $150,000, the report stated.
This case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is urged to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340)774-2211 ext. 5576/5572, 911, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1(800)222-TIPS, the Chief’s Office at (340)715-5548 or the Commissioner’s Office at (340)715-5506.
