Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives on St. Croix arrested 40-year-old Jumal Nelson of Estate Williams Delight Friday night for allegedly assaulting and robbing a taxi operator.
According to the police report, officers were dispatched to the Tide Village service station about 8:30 p.m. Friday to investigate a robbery.
When officers arrived, the 68-year-old male victim told police that he had picked up Nelson and drove him to his destination by Estate St. Peter where Nelson allegedly cut the victim with a knife and demanded money. The taxi operator drove off the road near the Tide Village service station and grabbed the knife.
A police vehicle that was flashing blue lights on patrol apparently surprised Nelson, who fled behind the service station; about 20 minutes later, police officers located him walking in the same vicinity and arrested him.
The victim had superficial cuts on his finger and rib cage and complained of pains in his shoulder, but refused to seek medical treatment.
Nelson was remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, where he was charged with first-degree robbery pending further court action. Bail was set at $75,000.