Home News Police Saturation Patrols on St. Croix Net Arrests, Firearms

Saturation Patrols on St. Croix Net Arrests, Firearms

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Members of the St. Croix police’s Special Operations Bureau continued their saturation patrols strategy Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, arresting suspects on weapons and drug possession charges.

Luis Rivera, 26, of Estate Profit, was arrested about 10:08 p.m. May 7 and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm. Officers on surveillance in the high-drug-trafficking area of Estate Profit saw a number of suspicious people. When officers approached the group, one male, later identified as Rivera, tried to flee the area and was apprehended by police. He was found to have a fully loaded 9 mm Glock hand gun tucked in his waistband. A check of the weapon revealed it was reported stolen in Atlanta, Ga. Rivera was held on $25,000 bail and remanded to custody. Investigation into this case is continuing.

Albert Williams, 25, of Estate Sion Farm, was also arrested at about 10 p.m. and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Williams was detained by officers on the Melvin Evans Highway near Estate Hannah’s Rest. Officers observed marijuana in plain view in the vehicle Williams was driving. A search revealed that Williams had a fully loaded 9 mm Smith & Wesson firearm in his possession.

Curtis Simon, 25, was a passenger in Williams’ car and was also charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Williams was held on $25,000 bail and Simon was held on a $10,000 bail. Both were remanded to the custody of the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.

Jason Williams, 27, of the Lorraine Village Apartments, was arrested at about 11:30 at the Consumer Gas station in Estate Grove Place and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was remanded to the custody of the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.

The saturated patrols continued Saturday netting five more drug related arrests. Details on these arrests were to be released later.

St. Croix Police Chief Oakland Benta and Deputy Police Chief Christopher Howell participated in the patrols along with the Special Operations Bureau officers.

Howell said the saturated patrols are a “well thought-out, proactive policing strategy.”

“This plan is working,” he said. “We are seeing a decrease in criminal activity and an increase in criminal arrests. I intend to continue the deployment of these officers who are going above and beyond the call of duty. Many of these officers are working 16 hour days. However, the long hours do not discourage them, they are determined to get the job done in a professional and effective manner.”

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