A 19-year-old man was arrested Wednesday evening after officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Special Operations Bureau discovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during a traffic stop on Norre Gade on St. Thomas, the V.I. Police Department announced.
At approximately 6:47 p.m., officers observed a black Infiniti traveling westbound without a front license plate and obstructing traffic. When they attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver reversed into traffic, turned onto Kirke Strade, then stopped and exited the car, according to the police report.
The driver, identified as Cai Jonte Andrew, told officers he was “going to get lunch” and attempted to walk away. Officers detected the smell of marijuana from the vehicle, which led to a search, the police report stated.
Inside, they found marijuana along with a Ruger 5.7x28mm firearm loaded with armor-piercing ammunition. The weapon’s serial number had been obliterated, the report said.
Andrew admitted he was underage and did not have a license to carry a firearm in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was arrested, processed, and transported to the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex. He faces charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition, it said.
Andrew was unable to post bail, which was set at $75,000, and was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, it said.
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