A man was arrested Saturday night on St. Croix after a first responder who was on duty at the scene of a structural fire at the Penthouse Rooftop Inn in Castle Coakley was assaulted, the Virgin Islands Police Department announced.
At about 8:30 p.m., the VITEMA 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched firefighters and police officers to investigate reports of the fire, police said in a news release.
While responders were on scene, an unknown man — later identified as 30-year-old Miguel Sanchez — was told he could not re-enter the area because of safety concerns. Sanchez, who appeared intoxicated, returned and confronted a first responder while holding a bottle of cologne, police said.
He sprayed the chemical into the responder’s face, hitting his eyes and nose multiple times, they said. The first responder immediately experienced burning and irritation, but was able to restrain Sanchez until officers stepped in to assist with the arrest, according to police.
Sanchez was read his Miranda rights but refused to provide a statement, police said. He was charged with aggravated assault and battery, with bail set at $1,000.
Unable to post bail, Sanchez was booked and transported to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility, where he remains pending his Advice of Rights hearing, police said.
