Teen charged with multiple offences after police recover guns and ammo

A 17-year-old male has been slapped with multiple criminal charges following an investigation by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) that led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and his alleged involvement in a string of robberies.

According to the RVIPF, the teen was charged on Thursday, March 6, with two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, three counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, robbery, and possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear.

“This arrest follows ongoing police investigations into a string of robberies over the weekend, during which an AR-15 rifle, a STRIBOG semi-automatic pistol, 35 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, and 11 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition were recovered,” the RVIPF stated.

Although other individuals were arrested in connection with the case, they have since been released from police custody.

Acting Police Commissioner calls for community action

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of minors and young adults in gun-related crimes.

“The frequency with which we are seeing young individuals entangled in gun-related crime is troubling,” Vanterpool stated.

She emphasised the urgent need for community intervention, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to public safety.

“This is not only a threat to public safety but a stark reminder of the urgent need for community intervention,” she said.

“We must work together—law enforcement, families, and community leaders—to steer our young people away from crime and toward positive opportunities,” Vanterpool urged.

Government to host Anti-Crime Summit

In response to rising crime rates and youth involvement in criminal activities, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley recently announced that the long-awaited anti-crime summit will take place this month. Although a specific date has not yet been confirmed, the summit—coordinated under the National Security Council—aims to bring key stakeholders together to develop a unified crime prevention strategy.

Dr. Wheatley emphasised that the initiative will focus on tackling the root causes of crime and identifying effective solutions to protect the community.