Hot emotion and firearms apparently led two motorists on St. Thomas to appear before a magistrate judge in Superior Court. Court records suggest one incident may have been sparked by road rage.
Authorities said a second defendant, arrested in a separate incident, allegedly resisted apprehension and almost struck an officer while trying to flee. The sudden action led to one officer discharging shots toward the vehicle.
But Superior Court Magistrate Simone Van Holten-Turnbull dismissed charges of assault, reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident brought against defendant Arnold Malone. The charges were dismissed without prejudice after Malone made his initial appearance in court on Monday.
Police made that arrest Friday night after a traffic stop on Veterans Drive near Edward Blyden Marine Terminal. At the time the defendant was driving a vehicle with heavily tinted windows, court records said.
In the apparent case of road rage, defendant J’Vanyo Nash was arrested Sunday in Estate Brookman by officers called to the scene of an auto collision. He was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a weapon and ammunition, use of a dangerous weapon, and brandishing.
After making his initial appearance, Nash posted a $5,000 bail and was released, pending further court action.
A third motorist was also arrested after a Sunday traffic stop on Veterans Drive, this time near Turnbull Funeral Home. Court records said police spotted a pistol worn on the side of defendant Rashad Creque as he rolled down the window to speak with them.
The suspect immediately admitted to being in the wrong. “I’m not supposed to be around guns like that,” according to a statement Creque made to police appearing in documents submitted to the court.
Creque was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The magistrate ordered him to appear for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 23.
