CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Special Operations Bureau (SOB) got word from the VIPD Intel Unit that a possible shooting was going to take place near Friendly’s Bar in Savan on Regjerings Gade on Saturday.
Officers arrived at 4:59 p.m., inspected the area around Friendly’s Bar, and noticed two individuals fitting the description of the Intel that they had received, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
When police approached the individuals, each person of interest fled on foot. One suspect discarded his firearm underneath a vehicle and was recovered, and he was quickly placed under arrest, according to the VIPD.
Angel Guerrero, 21, was found in possession of a high-capacity magazine in the firearm that was recovered: a Glock 17-9mm, outfitted with a chip to make it an automatic handgun, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Guerrero was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and high-capacity magazine, illegal ammunition, and a modified gun to be an automatic handgun, according to Dratte.
Bail for Guerrero was set at $100,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
“Officers from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and VIPD’s S.O.B teams quickly formulated a plan of action, and converged in the area,” S.O.B Commander Lt. Gregory Penn said.
“The Specials operations Bureau is a unit that attends local functions, carnival, king of the wings, local basketball tournaments and community events with the safety of the community as its first responsibility,” Lt. Penn added. “When we are not engaged in those activities, we are in constant contact with concerned citizens and other arms of our community in reference to addressing the criminal element locally. At times we are mobilized by our Superiors along with other law enforcement agencies for missions where we focus on extremely dangerous persons whose only intent is to take advantage of our most exposed and vulnerable.”
The Virgin Islands Police Department is asking anyone with information to call (340)-774-2211, 911 or the Criminal Investigation Bureau Major Crimes Division at 340-642-8449 or you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.