CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Driving without a license plate while smoking marijuana left one St. Thomas motorist vulnerable to “Operation Gridlock” this weekend.
Alexander Milton Petersen, 30, was arrested Sunday for carrying a firearm without authorization, possession of ammunition and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Bail for Petersen was set at $57,500. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
The Virgin Islands Police Department was conducting traffic enforcement as part of “Operation Gridlock” on Wimmelskaft Gade (Back Street) Sunday. “Operation Gridlock” is a joint Task Force consisting of Officers from Special Operations Bureau, Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources peace officers.
Members of the task force team noticed a Gray Acura traveling eastward at 9:39 p.m. without a license plate affixed to the front bumper of the vehicle and the windshield tint with written lettering was below the AS1 Line, according to the VIPD.
When officers asked the operator of the vehicle for his documents, they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, police said. The operator and his front seat passenger — who was a minor female — were each asked to exit the vehicle.
“Upon conducting a search of the vehicle for marijuana, officers discovered a Glock 23 .40 Caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle and two jars containing marijuana along with an AWS scale, two grinders and other drug paraphernalia for drug distribution,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Petersen is only licensed to carry the gun that was found in his possession while he is on duty working for his mother’s security company, according to documents filed in Superior Court.