Updated Nov. 24
The driver of a 2025 gray Toyota Tacoma drove into Third World Trading Co. at 52 Circuit Ave. on Saturday night at 7:19 pm.
The driver, 42-year-old Theodore Bennett, was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and improper operation of a motor vehicle.
There were no injuries, but the crash caused extensive damage to the building and vehicle, as well as to another vehicle parked in the area. According to a police report, damage included “taking out the front steps, front wall, large pane windows, and damaging merchandise.”
Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers saw Bennett sitting in the front seat smiling with the engine still running. He was the only person in the car, told officers he was uninjured, and declined medical attention.
A woman in the upstairs apartments told police that the impact from the crash caused her to hit her head while she was taking a shower.
Bennet told officers he suffers from PTSD. He avoided questions about where he’d come from, but officers said they could detect alcohol on his breath and his eyes were glassy, the report also stated.
Officers learned that he had also struck 145 Circuit Ave., causing damage to a railing on a stairway at the front of the residence and to the lawn, and left the scene earlier that night. Bennett later drove northbound on Circuit Ave., a one-way street, before crashing into the clothing store.
Bennett was arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Monday, Nov. 24.
I’ve lived in multiple locations. MV is the only one where people routinely plow into buildings.
Thankful nobody was hurt by this display of selfish recklessness.
It could hardly have come at a worse time for
The Third World Trading Company. From the looks of the damage it’s probably going to cause them to miss the whole holiday season.
It’s hard to fathom how someone could actually do this in location!
How devastating for Lori K! Third World Trading is a great island mainstay for women of all ages, men, and kids. I hope she can get the help she needs from all entities to rebuild.
Insofar as possible, let’s do our holiday shopping at Third World.
These island judges blow my mind. Struck TWO buildings, could’ve killed someone and released on $1,000 bail. Anywhere else a DUI causing property damage like hitting a building would result in a bail amount starting from the range of $20,000 and $100,000.
These judges need to be held accountable and get a grip. They’ve proven time and time again to be soft on crime and it’s only a matter time before it’s going to bite this community.
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