CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Three men were arrested on gun charges in St. Thomas as part of Operation Clean Sweep this weekend, authorities said.
Ja’Haile Clendinen, 23, of St. Thomas, Akwany Dore, 26, of St. Thomas, and Kahlid Smith, 22, of St. John, were arrested and charged with “numerous offenses,” the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Members of the VIPD’s Operation Clean Sweep Task Force were conducting surveillance in Vitraco Mall on Saturday when they received information that there were individuals in possession of illegal narcotics and firearms in the area.
During the operation officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop of a white 2008 Chevy Trailblazer with no license plates exiting the Vitraco Park Mall complex, according to the VIPD.
After pursuing the vehicle, officers were able to corner the vehicle near the Market Square, police said. The driver then abruptly turned the vehicle onto the sidewalk and drove towards an officer
who approached the vehicle to obtain the driver’s documents.
The officer was able to avoid being hit, however the SUV’s right-side fender and front bumper was damaged when it struck a street pole, according to police. Another officer was almost injured when the street pole fell over and landed near his position. The driver of the Chevy Trailblazer refused to stop and continued driving while dragging the street pole along the roadway.
“Several bystanders in the area yelled out that the suspects were in possession of firearms as
they tried to leave the area after they abandoned their vehicle, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Task Force officers were able to apprehend while also recovering a firearm, large quantities of ammunition and with marijuana, according to Dratte.
All suspects were all placed under arrest and their bail was set at $150,000.00 each.
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