St. Thomas Nightclub Owner Arrested After Confronting Officer Over 4 A.M. Closing

A St. Thomas nightclub owner was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, October 4, after physically confronting a police officer who was enforcing territorial closing requirements, authorities said.

William Thelusma, who operates NUVO Lounge, faced three charges: aggravated assault and battery against a police officer, interfering with an officer performing official duties, and simple assault. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. at the venue, according to a sworn probable cause affidavit filed by VIPD Special Operations Bureau Officer Mikhail Woodley.

Officer Woodley was on routine patrol when he detected loud music coming from both Evolution and Nuevo nightclubs on the commercial strip. Evolution closed without resistance when ordered to do so. At Nuevo, the officer instructed the DJ to stop playing music.

Thelusma then stepped in, insisting he held a "24-hour license" that permitted him to remain open. Officer Woodley informed him that no such permit exists under Virgin Islands law and repeated his instruction to shut down the music.

Thelusma rejected the order. He turned to his DJ and demanded: "Do you work for him or do you work for me?!" and told the DJ to resume playing. As Officer Woodley moved toward the sound booth, Thelusma grabbed him by the arm from behind and spun him around forcefully. The officer pushed back with both hands to create space while watching the surrounding crowd.

Upon being told he was under arrest, Thelusma stiffened and braced his arms. Officer Woodley restrained him and led him to a marked unit outside.

At the police cruiser, Thelusma disclosed he was carrying a handgun in his waistband. Officer Woodley removed and secured the weapon. The gun was seized after officers found Thelusma's weapons license severely damaged, making it impossible to verify the firearm's authorized serial number at the scene. The VIPD Firearms Bureau took possession pending verification.

Thelusma appeared in Superior Court on Monday before Magistrate Judge Simone M. VanHolten-Turnbull for his Advice of Rights hearing. He posted a $1,500 cash bail bond with surety Scarlette Brutus and was scheduled for formal arraignment on October 23 before Magistrate Judge Julie Smith Todman.

Thelusma reported left wrist pain following his arrest and was transported to Roy Lester Schneider Hospital, where he declined medical care before being booked at the Richard Callwood Command.