The V.I. Police Department, at about 5:21 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, arrested Shamar N. Lewis, age 21 of Altona, and charged him with possession of an unlicensed firearm and third-degree assault, the police reported in a news release issued Sunday.
According to the police report, officers encountered Lewis while in the vicinity of Four Winds Plaza operating a motorcycle with no helmet. Officers attempted to stop Lewis, but instead of stopping, he accelerated his motorcycle, the report said, causing officers to take evasive action to avoid being hit.
Lewis lost control of the motorcycle and collided into a nearby parked vehicle. He was in possession of a knapsack, and officers found an unlicensed firearm in it. He was placed under arrest as a result.
Lewis was released on $25,000 unsecured bond, was placed on a curfew and ordered to surrender his travel documents to the court as conditions of his bail at his advice of rights hearing.
St. Thomas/St. John District Chief of Police Ludrick Thomas commended the officers for their quick actions in affecting this arrest.
“This is the second straight day an arrest was made of a rogue motorcycle operator and the V.I. Police Department will not tolerate such reckless behavior on our roadways,” the chief said. “Safety of everyone is important while operating a vehicle upon the public roadways. Driving is a privilege and not a right.”
