V.I. Police officers attached to the Virgin Islands Crime Initiative on Wednesday arrested 33-year-old Euette A. Browne of Grove Place on St. Croix, charging him with unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession or sale of ammunition.
According to police, the arrest took place at about 3:22 p.m., Nov. 4.
The V.I. Crime Initiative is a data-driven effort to identify times and places where crime is likely to occur and individuals likely to commit them, and designate resources to prevent them.
During a traffic stop, officers found a loaded firearm in a vehicle operated by Browne, police said. Browne does not possess a license to carry a firearm in the Virgin Islands, and was arrested for possessing the firearm.
Unable to post bail in the amount of $50,000, Browne was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing.
St. Croix District Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe credited the aggressive nature of the VICI, put in place by Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor, for the discovery of the illegal firearm and the subsequent arrest.
“This is another example of the Crime Initiative officers’ work to take unlicensed firearms off our streets,” Elskoe said.
The VIPD urged anyone with information on crimes to call 911, the Crime TipLine at 340-778-4950, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS).
