A man was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly assaulting an elderly male inside a residence in Estate St. Georges on St. Croix, leaving the victim unconscious and in need of off-island medical treatment, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.
At approximately 3:53 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of an assault and that the victim, described as an unconscious elderly male, was being transported by ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital emergency room. Upon arrival, Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives observed that the victim had sustained a visible head injury and remained unconscious, the police report stated.
According to a witness at the scene, they were asleep inside the residence when they heard someone outside calling for help. Upon investigating, the witness identified the individual as their neighbor, Travis Lawrence Jr., and invited him inside. Once inside, Lawrence allegedly locked the screen door and began striking the victim repeatedly in the face and head, the report stated.
Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries, arrangements were made for the victim to be airlifted off-island for further medical care, the report stated.
Patrol officers detained Lawrence at the scene and transported him to the Juan F. Luis Hospital emergency room, where he was treated for minor cuts not related to the assault, it said.
Lawrence was subsequently arrested by detectives. He was advised of his Miranda Rights and declined to provide a statement. His bail was set at $25,000 as per the bond schedule. He was booked and transported to the John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights hearing, scheduled for Monday at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, it said.