MCDONALD’S ASSAULT: Castle Burke Man Arrested After Alleged Daytime Groper Targets Woman in La Reine Line
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun News Reporter
ST. CROIX — A 33-year-old Castle Burke man is behind bars at the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility after allegedly assaulting a woman inside a mid-island fast-food restaurant on Tuesday afternoon.
Neil A. Durrant (also known as Neil A. Durant) appeared before Judge Yolan C. Brow Ross in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on Thursday morning for an Advice of Rights hearing. Durrant faces multiple charges, including first-degree unlawful sexual contact, simple assault and battery, and disturbance of the peace.
According to a sworn probable cause fact sheet filed by Detective Teaclla Buckley of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, the incident unfolded on June 2, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m. inside the McDonald's restaurant in Estate La Reine.
The adult female victim, identified in court records by her initials "O.S.," told detectives she was standing in line to place a food order when an unknown, tall, slim man approached her from behind and muttered something unintelligible. Hoping to avoid him, O.S. adjusted her position in line.
Moments later, the suspect allegedly pressed his entire body against her back, reached around her torso with both hands, and forcefully grabbed and squeezed her right breast while moaning in her ear.
The victim used her shoulder to forcefully push the man off her, recognized him as the same individual who had approached her moments prior, and fled to her vehicle. In fear for her safety, O.S. grabbed mace and a knife from her car to defend herself and returned to the establishment, but the suspect had already fled the scene.
O.S. immediately left to find law enforcement, flagging down a passing Virgin Islands Police Department unit to report the assault. While restaurant management and employees told detectives they did not witness the physical contact due to where they were stationed, they all confirmed hearing the victim’s immediate, frantic shouting of "He touched me!" while gesturing to her chest and stomach.
Using a photograph provided by the victim, VIPD detectives positively identified the suspect as Durrant. On June 3, detectives located Durrant at a residence in Castle Burke and transported him to the Wilbur H. Francis Command precinct.
When advised of his Miranda rights and confronted by investigators, Durrant allegedly admitted to the physical contact but claimed it was a mistake. "I just touch her back, I thought she was a friend from the past, name Natalie," Durrant stated, according to court documents.
Durrant’s bail was set at $35,000.00. Unable to post bond, he was remanded to the correctional facility pending Thursday's court appearance.
