A St. Croix man was arrested Wednesday after Virgin Islands Police Department officers conducting a patrol along Midland Road found a handgun in plain view inside a vehicle, the department reported.
The arrest occurred July 22 while officers assigned to the Special Operations Bureau were patrolling near Frontline Bar and Restaurant as part of “Operation Rapid Response,” the VIPD police report stated.
According to report, officers saw a man quickly walking away from a black Acura TSX. As they approached the vehicle, they observed a black handgun on the front passenger seat through the open driver’s side door.
Police identified the man as Jahneal Gilbert. According to the VIPD, Gilbert told officers the firearm belonged to him. Investigators determined he did not have a license to carry or possess a firearm in the United States or its territories.
Gilbert was arrested on charges of carrying of a firearm, openly or concealed, and possession or sale of ammunition, police said.
Bail was set at $50,000. Unable to post bail, Gilbert was booked, processed and transported to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility, where he was remanded pending his advice of rights hearing, according to the VIPD.
