Detectives from the Major Crime Unit on St. Thomas arrested 28-year-old Errol R. Nesbitt Jr. and charged him in a homicide that took place almost a year ago, the V.I. Police Department announced Thursday.
Ali Yanes, a 33-year-old originally from Jerusalem, was shot to death July 15, 2012, near the Soto Town Mini Mart in Contant. According to police, when detectives arrived at the scene they saw the body of a Middle Eastern man later identified as Yanes. Medical personnel confirmed that Yanes’ died due to a gunshot to his head.
Several spent casings that were in close proximity to Yanes’ body were recovered by forensic detectives and crime scene technicians. Detectives said their investigation revealed that several days prior to the shooting Nesbitt and a relative of Yanes were involved in an altercation inside the business regarding the use of a telephone. As a result of the altercation, Nesbitt shot Yanes on the evening of July 15, 2012, as Yanes walked to his car after closing the business for the night, police said.
On Tuesday, Judge James Carroll III issued an arrest warrant charging Nesbitt with the crime. On Wednesday, Nesbitt was arrested without incident in Contant by officers from the Major Crimes, Intelligence and Special Operations units. Nesbitt was advised of his rights before Carroll and was held without bail pending further court action.
