Man held after threats to kill brother, officers in Campo Rico

A 43-year-old Campo Rico resident faces charges of threatening violence and obstructing police after an incident Wednesday evening that began as a family dispute and turned hostile toward responding officers.

Shane Tobal was arrested around 8:00 p.m. following a 911 call to 231 Campo Rico, according to court documents filed by Officer Njeria Williams-Johnson. Officers arriving at the scene found Tobal heavily intoxicated, staggering and slurring, engaged in a loud argument with his brother.

During the confrontation, Tobal threw a plastic car part at his brother and told police he intended to kill him. His brother reported that Tobal had threatened to shoot him and claimed to possess a firearm. The brother also said Tobal had been calling out names of neighbourhood residents and threatening them, causing him to fear for his safety.

When officers tried to enter the property to investigate, Tobal physically prevented them from doing so. His behaviour then turned toward the police themselves. Court records describe Tobal advancing toward officers repeatedly in an aggressive stance, puffing out his chest, tensing his body and clenching his fists as if preparing to fight. He issued explicit death threats against several officers and vowed to hunt down their family members.

Tobal's hostility persisted after his transfer to the Wilbur H. Francis Command police station in Frederiksted. While being processed there, he stated he would place a contract hit on police officers for "$500 a pop", Officer Williams-Johnson reported.

Tobal was charged with disturbance of the peace by threats and interfering with an officer discharging duty. Bail was set at $1,000, which he could not pay. He was held at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility in Golden Grove pending his Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Thursday before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Yolan C. Brow Ross in Courtroom CR-103 at the Kingshill complex. The Office of the Territorial Public Defender is representing him.