Police on St. Croix arrested Misael Lima on Saturday and charged him with unauthorized possession of a firearm after he was allegedly seen throwing a 9mm handgun while officers were chasing him.

According to police, saturated patrol officers were patrolling Estate Williams Delight at around 7:15 p.m. when they noticed a group of males loitering and detected the odor of marijuana. When officers approached the group, Lima allegedly began to run, causing the officers to chase him, demanding that he stop.

Police said Lima was holding what appeared to be a firearm, and threw it while running. After Lima was apprehended, officers recovered a silver and black Ruger 9mm handgun. According to police, the gun had a live a 9mm round loaded in the chamber and 14 additional live rounds in its magazine.

A check with the Firearms Supervisor confirmed that Lima did not have a firearms license and the firearm was reported stolen by the registered owner. Lima was placed on a $25,000 bail and remanded to the custody of the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.