Police in Frederiksted arrested a man and recovered a loaded handgun during a nighttime operation on Whites Bay Road on September 28, according to court filings.
Michael Figueroa was taken into custody at the scene. He appeared before Magistrate Judge Christopher M. Timmons on September 29 for an Advice of Rights hearing and faced a charge of unauthorized firearm possession. The court set bail at $50,000, which Figueroa could not meet, and he was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility.
The incident began around 7:49 p.m. when an off-duty officer noticed a white Ford Escape traveling through Campo Rico. The vehicle had been reported stolen two days earlier from Estate Smithfield during a break-in. Officers tracked the SUV to Plot #5 Whites Bay Road, where the driver switched off the headlights.
Police approached with patrol rifles and ordered occupants out of the vehicle. The driver and a rear passenger fled westbound into the darkness. Figueroa and a minor remained inside and were detained.
A search of the front passenger area turned up a loaded Generation 5 Glock 23 .40-caliber pistol with 10 rounds in the magazine. Officers also found a black crossbody bag on the floorboard holding a holster and a second magazine loaded with 10 additional rounds. A records check showed the handgun had been stolen during an August 22 burglary at Hannah's Rest.
When read his Miranda rights, Figueroa told investigators: "I don't know what firearm you talking about." A check by the VIPD Firearms Bureau found that Figueroa held no permit to possess, carry, or purchase firearms or ammunition in the territory.
Figueroa was charged with unauthorized firearm possession, possession of an unauthorized firearm in a vehicle, possession of ammunition, buying or receiving stolen property, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.