CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Heavily tinted windows led to a routine traffic stop for two St. Thomas men being arrested on illegal gun possession charges, authorities said.
Rakhim M. Rabsatt, 32, of Bovoni, and Raheem Smith 25, of Charlotte Amalie, were each arrested Monday and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, third-degree assault, delaying and obstructing justice and resisting arrest, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
On Monday, March 14, 2022, Officers were conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle with heavily tinted windows on Hospital Line Roadway.
As the officers stopped the vehicle, one officer requested the documents for the vehicle, while the other officer asked the other two male occupants to step out of the vehicle.
The Officer then continued to conduct a pat down for officer’s safety, at which time one of the male suspects began to pull away. The Officer stated that, a scuffle then ensued as he tried to take the one male into custody.
The officer also stated that the other male suspect came around the vehicle and then grabbed him in a “choke hold” causing him to almost lose consciousness.
The officer observed one of the males throwing a firearm into the vehicle, as the other male who held him in a choke hold told the driver to drive off.
The Officer concluded by stating, other police units arrived on the scene to assist, at which time they were able to take the two males into custody without any further incident.
Bail was set at $75,000 for each man. Unable to post bail, they were remanded to the V.I. Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
Rabsatt was also arrested last month and charged with three counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives are requesting anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau or the office of the Police Chief at (340) 774-2211. You may also submit information via Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.