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VIPD Arrests Four Men on Weapons Charges

March 14, 2007 — Four men arrested during a traffic stop in which a gun was found will be investigated for other gun-related crimes, Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards said Wednesday.
Richards said that the four men were arrested following a traffic stop for speeding after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Police discovered a gun in the vehicle and ammunition nearby after officers ordered the occupants to exit.
Arrested were Gregory Ruiz, 20, of Williams Delight; Kevin Melville, 22, of Williams Delight; Anselmo Cruse, 20, of Sion Farm; and David Phillip, 23, of LaGrange.
Richards said that VIPD officers stopped the vehicle, a 2006 Dodge Caravan, which was traveling east on Melvin Evans Highway, and that the four were asked to exit the vehicle "after police detected a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana."
Richards said that based on initial police reports, the officers "found one shotgun and a handgun in the vehicle. Ammunition was found in the bushes near the vehicle. "Police are investigating reports of the suspects’ involvement in other gun-related crimes," she said.
The Police Department must often rely on witnesses to come forward with information relative to crime in the territory, and Tuesday's arrests are a bit of good news to St. Croix District Chief Winsbut McFarlande, who noted that traffic stops often yield information that is helpful to investigators. "Traffic stops not only help in keeping roads safe but often assist police in curbing further criminal activity," he said.
Bail for each of the men was set at $25,000.
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