St. Thomas man charged after violent assault over postal key

A St. Thomas resident has been arrested and faces multiple charges following a violent attack on his elderly cousin in Bovoni on Saturday afternoon, police say.

Francis Nacis was taken into custody after the October 17 incident at a residence in Bovoni Homes. The confrontation arose from a disagreement over access to a post office box key, according to a police affidavit.

At around 4:06 p.m., the victim, 72-year-old Trevor Narcis, was tending his garden when Nacis arrived at the property gate. Despite the older man's repeated demands that he leave, Nacis forced open the gate and entered the yard. He then grabbed his cousin, threw him to the ground, and struck him multiple times in the head, the affidavit states. The victim said he saw an unidentified object in Nacis's hand during the assault and called out for assistance.

Neighbor Wesley N. Daniel heard the screams and came outside to find Nacis striking the bleeding man on the pavement with a shirt wrapped around his fist. Daniel intervened and pulled Nacis away from the victim. Another neighbor, Sonia A. T. Santana, called 911 for emergency services.

Nacis left the scene on foot, abandoning one sandal. Police officers from the Richard N. Callwood Command located him near Lima Plaza matching the witness description: a Black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks, black shorts, and a black-and-green shirt. Daniel identified him as the attacker.

When questioned, Nacis acknowledged going to his cousin's home to demand a duplicate key for the post office box. He admitted to striking the older man in the face with a closed fist.

Emergency responders treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Roy Lester Schneider Medical Center. A physician examined him for two deep cuts to the head: one above the left eyebrow that required stitches, and a second wound half an inch below.

Nacis faces charges of aggravated assault and battery upon the aged, trespass, disturbance of the peace under domestic violence statutes, and elderly abuse. He appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Julie Smith Todman on Monday morning for an Advice of Rights hearing at Barbel Plaza South.