Woman scooter rider among 7 motorists charged

Police have released the names of persons arrested and charged with traffic offenses last week as they intensified operations to restore order to the streets of the British Virgin Islands.

Persons in breach were driving mostly without licences, registration, and insurance, noted the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

“These non-ticketable road offences form a short list of the most serious traffic violations, and require that offenders appear before the Magistrate’s Court. Fines can range anywhere between $150 and $1,000 with alternative prison terms attached,” the RVIPF said.

It continued: “Some offenders were also charged with failing to stop at the sound of a police order or siren, driving recklessly, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, using indecent language, threatening to assault or actually assaulting police officers, as well as giving false information to police or refusing to give a name when requested. Not having identification plates, a crash helmet, a licence to drive that particular class of vehicle, or driving a motorcycle over the legal limit were additional offences.”

Police said a total of seven persons were arrested and charged with the traffic offences during the operations last week:

Josefina Tavarez

On January 30, police arrested and charged Josefina Tavarez of Purcell Estate with dangerous driving, driving without a driver’s licence, driving without insurance, driving without crash helmet, and failing to stop at the sound of a police siren.

She was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 with one signed surety for her appearance at the Magistrate’s Court in John’s Hole on March 10.

Ronnie David

On January 31, police arrested and charged Ronnie David of Purcell Estate with using indecent language, disorderly conduct, insulting language, assaulting police, and using a cellphone while operating a vehicle.

He was granted bail in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance at the Magistrate’s Court, John’s Hole, on March 10.

Keiny Gonzalez

On January 31, police arrested and charged 27-year-old Keiny Gonzalez of Baughers Bay with driving without a driver’s licence, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving unlicensed vehicle, driving without front and rear identification plate, and driving unregistered vehicle.

Simon King

On February 2, police arrested and charged 27-year-old Guyanese native and resident of Baughers Bay Simon King with driving without driver’s licence, driving an unlicensed motorcycle, driving an uninsured motorcycle and giving police false information.

Ashemba Frett

On February 2, police arrested and charged Ashemba Frett of Belle Vue with driving a motorcycle above the prescribed limit, illegal importation, reckless driving, resisting arrest, assaulting police, and driving without a driver’s licence within that class.

Joel Douglas

On February 2, police arrested and charged 18-year-old Joel Douglas of Lambert Estate with driving without driver’s licence, driving unlicensed vehicle, driving uninsured vehicle, driving when not covered by a policy of insurance, and riding as a passenger when not secured by a seatbelt.

Vernon Bernard

On February 2, police arrested and charged Vernon Bernard of Huntums Ghut with driving an unlicensed vehicle, driving without a driver’s licence, failing to give name when requested, and driving an uninsured vehicle.

He was granted bail in the sum of $2,000 with one signed surety to appear at the Magistrate’s Court in John’s Hole on March 17.