ST. CROIX — The V.I.P.D. late July arrested two individuals following a traffic stop on the Melvin Evans Highway near the Captain Morgan Rum distillery, according to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte.
According to police, at approximately 10:25 p.m. on July 23, Special Operations Bureau officers on patrol observed a black, 2-door Honda that did not have a license plate. The officers immediately conducted a traffic stop.
The driver, 22-year-old Jareem Tutein, came out of the vehicle and provided an expired driver’s license, Mr. Dratte said.
During the process, officers observed a black handgun behind the driver’s seat on the floor, at which point Mr. Tutein was immediately detained.
The passenger, 29-year-old Roy Hendrikson, exited the vehicle and upon questioning, became aggressive and uncooperative with the officers, according to Mr. Dratte. A physical altercation ensued; the officers and Mr. Hendrikson fell to the ground where they were able to detain the suspect.
While on the ground, the officers observed a handgun underneath the vehicle to the rear of the passenger side.
Mr. Tutein was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm. Unable to make bail of $10,000, he was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center.
Mr. Hendrikson was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, and obstructing and delaying an officer while discharging his duties.
Unable to make bail of $100,000, Mr. Hendrikson was also remanded to Golden Grove.