CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A suspect was able to evade police by abandoning his vehicle and gun — and escaping on foot after a routine traffic stop on Saturday evening, authorities said.
The Operation Over Watch Task Force was conducting traffic enforcement on Turpentine Run Road in St. Thomas near the bus stop by First Bank about 6:45 p.m. Saturday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
VIPD officers stopped a vehicle observed for making a traffic infraction, according to police.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the officers detected what appeared to be a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the same, police said.
The operator of the vehicle was advised of the marijuana smell coming from his vehicle and asked him to step outside of it, according to the VIPD.
“An inspection of the vehicle was conducted,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said. “During the search, a firearm was discovered in the vehicle.”
When the driver of the vehicle was asked by officers’ if he possess a license for the firearm, the unknown male fled on foot towards the adjacent bank (Banco Popular); and then headed toward the Caribbean Auto Mart dealership where he scaled a fence and ran into the thick brush evading officers, according to Dratte.
The vehicle and unlicensed firearm were processed by officers, police said.
Further information in reference to this matter will be forthcoming, according to the VIPD.
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