Police arrested a 31-year-old man following a reported robbery early Monday at La Terreza Bar & Restaurant in Estate Castle Coakley on St. Croix, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
At about 1:47 a.m. Monday, the 911 Emergency Call Center received several reports of a robbery at the business, according to the police report.
Responding officers made contact with the victim, who reported she had been robbed. Detectives assigned to the case met with the victim, who identified Jeffry Escanio as the suspect. She told police Escanio grabbed a gold chain from her neck and began to strangle her, restricting her airway. The victim sustained injuries during the encounter. Witnesses corroborated the victim’s account, the police report stated.
Police made contact with Escanio, who was advised of his Miranda rights and declined to provide a statement, the report stated.
Escanio was arrested and charged with robbery in the first degree and assault first. Bail was set at $75,000. He was unable to post bail and was transported to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice of rights hearing scheduled for Tuesday, the report stated.
