Man Assaults Victim and Sets His House on Fire

A.J. Pike 

St. Croix - On October 23, 2026, at around 10:00 am, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call from a concerned caller reporting that Joshua Torres had assaulted an individual and then set their house on fire.

The investigation revealed that on October 23, 2026, Joshua Torres, 42, struck the victim in the head with a stick, causing visible injuries, and then set the victim’s house on fire, causing complete loss of the residence. 

Officers apprehended Mr. Torres and he was arrested for Arson in the Second Degree and Assault in the Third Degree. 

Bail was set at $100,000. Mr. Torres was unable to post bail. He was booked and transported to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing at the Superior Court on October 26, 2026.