CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix man who was pulled over during a routine traffic stop by Special Operations Bureau officers was arrested for illegal gun possession on Saturday night, authorities said.
D’Andre Gumbs, 21, of Strawberry Hill, was arrested at 8:21 p.m. Saturday and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Officers observed a firearm in a vehicle operated by Gumbs during a traffic stop in Estate Work & Rest,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “Gumbs does not have a license to possess, carry, or own a firearm in the US Virgin Islands, and was arrested as a result.”
Bail for Gumbs was set at $50,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
St. Croix District Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe commended the officers of the Special Operations Bureau, led by Commander Captain Dennis Vanterpool, for the discovery of the firearm and the subsequent arrest.
“We intend to keep up the pressure on those persons who want to illegally possess firearms,” Chief Elskoe said. “We will take those guns and arrest those persons when we find them.”
The Chief encourages the community to contact the VIPD with information on crimes by calling 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-8477. Remember, if you see something, say something.
Gumbs formerly worked as a security guard with Ranger American of the Virgin Islands in Castle Coakley assigned to the St. Croix public school system managed by the Virgin Islands Department of Education, a confidential source close to the accused said.
The news that Gumbs was arrested by VIPD officers associated with the Special Operations Bureau was posted to Twitter at 8:20 a.m. today.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this news article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.