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Four Charged with Possession of Unlicensed Firearm

Four St. Thomas men were arrested early Wednesday morning and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm by police officers investigating an armed robbery, the V.I. Police Department reported.

According to police, at 12:29 a.m. Monday the 911 operators at the emergency call center dispatched officers to a robbery in progress on Veteran’s Drive, in the vicinity of the Vendor’s Plaza.

At the scene, the victims told police that after they came to stop at the traffic light, someone rear-ended their white 2018 Jeep Wrangler. When the victims exited their vehicle to inspect the damage they were approached by an armed male dressed in all black. The armed male and other suspects left the area in the victims’ vehicle.

At 3:20 a.m. Wednesday officers on routine patrol observed the stolen 2018 Jeep Wrangler with three male occupants at a gas station in Charlotte Amalie West. The suspects then left the area in an attempt to evade officers.

The vehicle was later located in Mahogany Estate after police received a tip from a citizen of the vehicle’s location. Officers conducting an inspection of the area observed three males leaving the area in a green sedan. The officers conducted a traffic stop and discovered a firearm with an extended magazine.

Police arrested Raekoi J. Evans, 21 years old of Hospital Ground; Evonte A. Rey, 18 years old of Paul M. Pearson Gardens; \Kevon V. Barclette, 20 years old of Paul M. Pearson Gardens; and T’Keyjah G. Austrie, 20 years old of Oswald Harris Court. They were charged with constructive possession of an unlicensed firearm, constructive possession of ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Bail was set at $50,000 each. Unable to post bail, all four were remanded to the custody of Bureau of Corrections, pending their advice of rights hearings.

The investigation is ongoing and police called on the community to report any information by calling 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS). Reports to Crime Stoppers that help resolve a crime can earn the caller an anonymous cash reward.

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