Man Who Fled Cockpit Area Following Shooting Arrested On Firearm, Ammunition And Unauthorized Entry Charges

ST. CROIX — A man who was near the crime scene at the cockpit in Estate Glynn on Saturday night following the shooting that left a minor dead and two others injured, was captured in an Estate Barren Spot house after leading police on a chase, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Sunday.

The chase was first made known to The Consortium by Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, who stressed that while the man was arrested on weapon, ammunition and unauthorized entry charges, he was not identified as a suspect in the Glynn shooting.

According to Mr. Dratte, 36-year-old Edgardo Ortiz Jr., above, aka “Sopow”, was arrested after fleeing the cockpit area and barricading himself in the home of someone he knows without permission. Criminal Investigation Bureau and Special Operations officers later discovered a handgun and ammunition in his vehicle, according to Mr. Dratte.

Mr. Ortiz was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, unlawful entry and failure to register a firearm. Unable to make bail of $25,000, he was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending his advise-of-rights hearing.

Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of those involved in criminal activity to contact C.I.B. at (340) 778-2211 on St Croix, (340) 774-2211 on St Thomas, or Crime Stoppers USVI, where you tip may lead to a substantial payout.