VIPD Makes Rape, Firearm Arrests Across Districts

The past two days have been busy for the V.I. Police Department, with officers making an arrest on St. Thomas Thursday of a man charged with firearms possession in a school zone – among other things – and another on St. Croix Friday for rape of a minor.

Thursday, police arrested Rakhim M. Rabsatt, 31, after he failed a sobriety test during a traffic stop. While he admitted to possessing a licensed firearm, officers also discovered several unlicensed weapons in his car, along with containers of marijuana.

He was arrested and charged with unlicensed firearm possession, possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone or housing community, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, driving under the influence, and illegal blood alcohol content.

Unable to post the $50,000 bail set, he was turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice of rights hearing.

Meanwhile, on St. Croix, Friday, officers in possession of a warrant from the Superior Court arrested Lyndon Tyson, 40, and charged him with first-degree aggravated rape. Tyson allegedly sexually abused a minor child on several occasions, according to a VIPD news release.

He was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections after failing to post $150,000 bail, pending an advice of rights hearing.