Police on St. Thomas arrested a 15-year-old minor and an adult male on separate weapons charges this week.
Both incidents occurred at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Park and involved a knife and a gun. No one was injured. One suspect was captured by police following a foot chase.
Valentine Govia Jr., 27, of Estate Anna’s Retreat, was arrested shortly before 11 p.m. Monday and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm and reckless endangerment. Police said Govia fired random shots from a .38-caliber handgun in a public place. When Govia saw the officers he ran. Officers chased him on foot until he was apprehended in Hospital Gade.
Govia’s bail bail was set at $45,000, and he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
The next day, Tuesday, the 15-year-old minor was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. after being found with a pocket knife in his possession at the park. He was also in violation of the legal curfew and told police he had smoked marijuana. He was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and released into his parent’s custody.
Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr. once again stressed the importance of parents and guardians knowing the whereabouts of their children at all times during carnival and to have them properly supervised by an adult.
