Last night, Saturday, August 24, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) continued its special operation, conducting intelligence-led stop and checks, targeted patrols, and searches in designated hotspots.

During the search of a location at Purcell Estate, Tortola, a team of officers encountered two (2) suspicious males known to be on bail with nightly curfew conditions. The individuals attempted to flee on foot but were pursued and arrested by the officers.

A subsequent search of their possessions and of the area where they were initially seen resulted in the recovery of three (3) firearms, two (2) of which were high-powered assault rifles, as well as a large cache of assorted ammunition. Investigation into the weapons is ongoing, with the primary objective of determining whether they are linked to other crimes.

Acting Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool wishes to inform the public that this is a significant achievement in the efforts of the RVIPF to dismantle a criminal gangbelieved to be responsible for several firearm-related crimes on Tortola in recent weeks. She commended the officers for their dedication, bravery, and willingness to go above and beyond to protect the community.

She stated, “The RVIPF is committed to investigating and apprehending criminal offenders who continue to flout the law and create mayhem in the community.” She also encourages members of the public to provide the police with any information they may have regarding these or any other type of criminal activities.

Persons with information can confidentially call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-

8477 (TIPS) or the RVIPF Intelligence Department at 368-9339. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.