A man was arrested early Saturday and his handgun confiscated when police allegedly caught him firing the gun in the air to celebrate the New Year.
The arrest was made by members of the VIPD Criminal Intelligence Unit, operating under the Office of the Police Commissioner and Assistant Police Commissioner. According to a VIPD news release, officers assigned to identify and arrest people who illegally discharge firearms during New Year’s were at Yacht Haven and heard shots being fired from the eastern end of the parking lot.
When they approached the area they saw a man they later identified as 23-year-old Philip Saunders of Estate Frydenhoj randomly firing shots into the air. Saunders was arrested and the loaded weapon, a .40 caliber Glock, and an extended magazine were confiscated.
A check with the V.I.P.D. Firearms Bureau determined the weapon was licensed; however, Saunders was not the owner. He was arrested midnight Saturday and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm and failure to report ammunition.
Police continue to investigate this matter.
Bail for Saunders was set at $30,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
