Baseball Bat and Gasoline: St. Croix Man Charged with Attempted Murder

Francisco Cruz Santiago faces serious charges after a violent confrontation over a chair escalated at a local service station

ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department has announced the arrest of Francisco Cruz Santiago on charges of attempted murder, as well as first- and second-degree assault.‌ According to the VIPD, officers were dispatched to the Level Up Service Station at about 8:30 Friday morning, in response to reports of someone making threats with a baseball bat. Responding officers met Santiago still holding the bat. Speaking to the complainant, police learned that the two men had gotten into an argument over a chair.‌

At one point in the verbal dispute, Santiago reportedly filled a water bottle with gasoline, which he used to douse his opponent. He then allegedly used a lighter in an attempt to set the man alight, but failing that, he placed the complainant into a chokehold, cutting off his air supply until the other man lost consciousness, the VIPD said.