VIPD officials say Bovoni resident Joseph Roberts, 22, led officers on a wild high-speed car chase Thursday from Raphune Hill all the way to Maud Proudfoot Drive, where he finally crashed his black Honda Accord into three government vehicles and two civilian cars before being arrested for drug possession, carrying a unlicensed handgun and reckless driving.
According to a VIPD statement issued late Thursday, a VIPD officer tried to stop Roberts at the base of Raphune Hill at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, but Roberts bolted and sped away. Police gave chase and quickly rallied a who’s who of government agents to help stop the heavily tinted Honda before it got away.
Agencies enlisted in the effort to corral Roberts included the Waste Management Authority, Lottery Office, Superior Court, Health Department, and Licensing and Consumer Affairs—not to mention additional VIPD units.
During the chase, Roberts sped up Raphune Hill, crossed onto the Rhymer Highway, drove up Donoe Bypass, turned onto Valdemar Hill Drive and finally sped down Maud Proudfoot Drive, before crashing into five other vehicles—including an unmarked Investigations Bureau vehicle, a U.S. Marshal’s car and at least two private vehicles.
Police say Roberts was not done yet. Following the crash, he reportedly bailed out of his Honda and tried to elude officers, shedding drugs, ammunition and a .40 caliber pistol as he tried to escape.
He was finally brought down and arrested by officers from a VIPD K-9 unit and the Special Operations Bureau, which responded and recovered the firearm in the area where Roberts reportedly tossed it. The fully-loaded pistol had been reported stolen from a licensed owner, according to police.
Roberts’ brief rush for freedom netted a string of charges, including possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, five counts of reckless endangerment, possession of stolen property, driving without a driver’s license and reckless and negligent driving.
He also gained the ill will of numerous grumbling residents Thursday who were tangled for hours in the resulting traffic jam on multiple main arteries, as police shut the area off.
Police say Roberts may yet face additional charges. He remains in custody of the Bureau of Corrections until his advice of rights hearing Friday.
