Mugshot of Amanda Daniel. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A woman has been charged with arson and destruction of property after police say surveillance video captured her setting fire to a black GMC Denali in Market Square earlier this year.
According to court documents, police received surveillance video of the March 27 incident on Sunday afternoon from a Virgin Islands Port Authority security officer. The footage reportedly showed a woman approaching the SUV, opening the vehicle’s door, and igniting an object inside. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Investigators identified the woman in the footage as Amanda Daniel.
Police searched for Ms. Daniel on Tuesday but were initially unable to locate her. She was later found at the Bureau of Corrections, where she had been remanded following a previous arrest for assault.
On Thursday, Ms. Daniel was taken to the Criminal Investigation Bureau for questioning in connection with the arson investigation.
Police say Ms. Daniel initially denied involvement. However, after officers told her they had video footage tying her to the incident, she reportedly admitted to setting the vehicle on fire.
According to police, Ms. Daniel said she set fire to the roof of the vehicle and opened the rear trunk area to ensure the fire spread through the SUV. She also told officers that after the vehicle began burning, she was chased down the road and assaulted by someone she identified only as “Hank.”
Ms. Daniel was arrested and charged with second-degree arson and destruction of property. She was then returned to the Bureau of Corrections to await her advice of rights hearing.
During a court appearance on Friday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold the charges against Ms. Daniel. Bail was set at $35,000, though she will be allowed to post $350 in cash to secure her release from detention ahead of trial.
If released, Ms. Daniel must report to the probation office in person twice a week and comply with other standard bail conditions ordered by the court.
Her next appearance before the magistrate is scheduled for June 12.
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