A St. Croix man out on bail for allegedly shooting at police in 2021 has been charged with robbery and assault against his ex-girlfriend, police said Wednesday.
Nahjeeb Acevedo, 21, allegedly went to an Estate Whim home where his former romantic interest was staying with a friend Dec. 12. He allegedly assaulted her while she was holding an infant and ripped a gold chain from her neck, causing visible injuries.
Police arrested Acevedo the next day. He was charged with domestic violence-related second-degree robbery, first-degree assault, aggravated assault and battery, child abuse, and disturbance of the peace.
Acevedo had been out on bail since June 2022 pending his trial for attempted murder. Part of his release agreement was to not leave a Breezewood Villas apartment between Plessen and Lower Love — roughly three miles from Estate Whim.
Prosecutors alleged Acevedo shot at two Virgin Islands police officers in July 2021 from a wrecked stolen vehicle after a high-speed chase. Acevedo was wounded by police gunfire. Three 17-year-olds were also in the vehicle.
Acevedo claimed he had simply gotten a ride from teens he did not know. After the car rolled onto its side, he broke the window and tried to run away when he was shot. He said the only shots fired were from police, according to court records. He was charged with 11 felonies, including attempted murder and illegal firearm possession.
Acevedo’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case Nov. 16, 2021, saying prosecutors’ assertions failed to show Acevedo drove the car, had a firearm, or shot at police.
Assistant Attorney General and Criminal Division Chief Amie M. Simpson waited until Jan. 28, 2022, to respond: “One of the minors made a brief statement which directly contradicts Mr. Acevedo’s statement of events. Other physical evidence, taken in conjunction with Mr. Acevedo’s position within the vehicle, could reasonably be construed by the factfinder to show that Mr. Acevedo played an active role in firing a loaded weapon at multiple police officers.”
The response was well outside time allotted by court rules, however. Simpson told Senior Superior Court Judge Harold Willocks she had been too busy to file the response in time. On April 5 of this year, Willocks denied the motion to toss the case as well as Siimpson’s excuse for filing late, according to court records.
Last week, Acevedo was transported to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing in the assault case.
