Two Men Arrested on St. Thomas for Illegal Gun Possession

Two St. Thomas men were arrested for firearm possession, the V.I. Police Department reported Thursday.

On Tuesday, at approximately VIPD was dispatched to the area of Mushen’s Market in Market Square concerning possible shots fired. When the officers arrived they conducted an inspection of the area and made spoke with individuals who explained that the suspects fled the area in a grey Hyundai sedan driving past Red Ball Grocery towards the Solberg area, according to the police report.

Officers traveled to the area of Solberg and Scott Free to conduct an inspection and came upon a vehicle fitting the description given; it was still running, and the door was left ajar. The units then conducted a further inspection of the vehicle and the immediate area where they located the two individuals fitting the description previously given and recovered a firearm, the police report stated.

Angel Guerreo, 22, and Ralphi Payano, 26, were both arrested for illegal possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, illegal discharge, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, reckless endangerment, contempt of court, aiding and abetting, carrying of firearms; openly or concealed; evidence of intent to commit crime of violence, the report stated.

Their bail was set at $100,000 each. Unable to post bail, they were both remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advice of rights hearing, police said.