Man Allegedly Chokes, Slams Girlfriend on Bed Causing it to Break

ST. CROIX — Police on Wednesday arrested a man who allegedly went to his girlfriend’s Watergut apartment, choked her until she could no longer breathe, then slammed her on a bed causing the bed to break, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte confirmed to the Consortium Wednesday.

According to Mr. Dratte, citing a police report, on October 16 at 6:10 p.m., officers from the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at the Watergut Homes in Christiansted.

Upon their arrival, contact was made with an adult female victim, who stated that she and her children’s’ father, later identified as Omaree A. Brooks, were arguing. The female victim stated that she walked away several times but Mr. Brooks followed her to her bedroom.

She added that during the argument Mr. Brooks grabbed her by her neck with both hands and strangled her until she could no longer breathe. The victim said Mr. Brooks then slammed her onto the bed with force while still strangling her, which caused the bed to break.

According to Mr. Dratte, the suspect then stopped strangling the victim, grabbed the keys to the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene in her vehicle without her permission — even though he was told several times by the victim not to take her vehicle but to leave her apartment.

Mr. Dratte said photographs were taken of the victim’s injuries and the damage to her bed by the V.I.P.D.’s Forensic Unit.

An All-Points Bulletin was put out for the female victim’s vehicle, however, Mr. Brooks nor the victim’s vehicle were found.  

Then, on October 18, the incident was referred to the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s Domestic Violence Unit, and based on the information provided by the victim, wanted posters were put out for Mr. Brooks for arrest on a second-degree assault charge.

Today at approximately 7:00 a.m., Mr. Brooks turned himself in at the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station where he was met by a Domestic Violence Unit officer and placed under arrest. 

Unable to post bail of $50,000, Mr. Mr. Brooks was booked and transported to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility where he was remanded pending his advisement hearing.