Gary Xavier, a 20-year-old suspect in an August 2009 assault case on St. Thomas, was returned to the territory Friday after being arrested in Rhode Island.
Xavier is charged with first-degree assault, grand larceny, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm, brandishing or using a deadly weapon and third-degree assault.
Xavier had previously been detained by the Rhode Island police for a traffic violation. When the Rhode Island authorities searched the National Crime Information Center database and discovered he was wanted on St. Thomas on charges resulting from the assault, they contacted the V.I. Police Department.
According to Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives, Xavier was the third person involved in an August 2009 shooting in Estate Frydendahl. The 20-year-old male victim, who is disabled due to his injuries from the incident, said Xavier and his two accomplices, Richie Fontaine and Cuthbertson Thomas, approached him and two other men.
The suspects reportedly pointed a firearm at the victim when he refused to give them his gold chain and several shots were fired before the suspects fled the area with the victim’s jewelry. One of the victims ran from the area, and the other was robbed.
The victim was shot in his hip, left shoulder and chest. He was a transported to the Roy L. Schneider Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Bail for Xavier was set at $35,000, and he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
