FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix woman was arrested on an illegal weapon charge after police investigating a robbery found a loaded gun inside her apartment, authorities said.
Omolara Ngozi Simmonds, 40, of Concordia Manor, was arrested at 6:27 a.m. today and charged with carrying a firearm openly or concealed and possession of ammunition, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
While investigating a robbery that occurred in February, officers of the Criminal Investigation and Special Operations Bureaus conducted a search warrant at a residence in Concordia Manor, according to the VIPD.
“During the search, officers discovered a loaded firearm,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “Simmonds admitted ownership of the firearm and indicated that she did not have a license to possess a firearm. She was placed under arrest as a result.”
Bail for Simmonds was set at $50,000. Unable to make bail, Simmonds was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
St. Croix District Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe applauded the officers for finding the firearm.
“Every gun taken off the street saves lives. We will continue to use every avenue available to find and confiscate all illegal firearms,” Chief Elskoe said.
He urged everyone who has information about crimes to contact detectives by calling 911, the Crime at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.