Police charged a teenager and seized two guns and dozens of bullets following an ongoing investigation into a string of robberies over the weekend of Feb. 28 to March 2, they said last Thursday.
The 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with one count of robbery; two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon; three counts of unlawful possession of ammunition; and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear, according to the Police Information Office.
Police seized an AR-15 rifle, a Stribog semi-automatic pistol, 35 rounds of 5.56-millimetre ammunition, and 11 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition, the PIO stated.
Other people arrested in the investigation were discharged from custody, police said.
Police released these photographs after seizing guns and bullets in recent days. (Photos: RVIPF)
Tight-lipped cops
Police had previously reported that an armed robbery took place at about 2 a.m. on Feb. 28 at the Banco Popular ATM in Road Town, but they have not said if the 17-year-old is suspected in connection with that crime.
Despite a request from the Beacon, they have not provided information about any of the other robberies that took place during the weekend in question either.
Police have, however, called for the community to help fight crime.
“The frequency with which we are seeing young individuals entangled in gun-related crime is deeply troubling,” said acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool. “This trend is not only a threat to public safety but a stark reminder of the urgent need for community intervention. We must work together — law enforcement, families and community leaders — to steer our young people away from crime and toward positive opportunities.”