Rivière-du-Rempart: Ronaldino Sets His Cell on Fire, Leaving Police Powerless

Rivière-du-Rempart: Ronaldino Sets His Cell on Fire, Leaving Police Powerless. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, police officers at the Rivière-du-Rempart station found themselves helpless against a detainee. Jean-Luc Ronaldino Nelson, a 23-year-old resident of Telegu Temple Road in Goodlands, who had a record for theft, was arrested on Thursday, November 27, by the Northern Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit.

Assault

Jean-Luc Ronaldino Nelson was wanted in connection with an investigation into an assault on police officers at Résidences Sainte-Claire in Goodlands on October 26. He and Jean-Marc Nelson (from Caudan), armed with sticks, attacked two police officers. Ronaldino threw one officer onto the pavement and threatened him, saying, "I will cut you today."

Jean-Marc Nelson is accused of assaulting a police officer with a stick and making threats, saying, "You better protect your friend, or I'll kill you today." Ronaldino was detained at the Rivière-du-Rempart police station, where he displayed violent behavior.

On Saturday, November 29, he began showing signs of nervousness and attacked the guard. At around 7:44 am, thick smoke started filling the cells. He is accused of using a lighter to ignite two mattresses and a blanket. Panic ensued in the station. One officer grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the flames while Ronaldino, furious, grabbed a metal tube.

To disarm and subdue him, an officer used tear gas. Ronaldino's cellmate began to suffocate, prompting the police to try to remove him from the cell. Ronaldino pushed a sergeant and two officers, then stormed into the charge room, punching a sergeant in the face.

After knocking out these officers, he fled the station. One officer attempted to stop him, but he was attacked on the shin with a pipe. Ronaldino escaped onto the main road, with police in pursuit, and they managed to subdue him shortly thereafter.

Threats

Jean-Luc Ronaldino Nelson was taken back to the police station, where he threatened the officers, saying, "I’ve memorized your faces; if I see you outside, I will cut you, I won't hesitate." On Tuesday, December 2, he faced questioning regarding the incidents at the Rivière-du-Rempart station and confessed to the Criminal Investigation Division in Piton. He was placed under surveillance at Piton Detention Center.