Crime

Traffic Stop On St. Croix Yields Guns, Arrests

ST. CROIX -- The V.I.P.D. late July arrested two individuals following a traffic stop on the Melvin Evans Highway near the Captain Morgan Rum distillery, according to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte. According to police, at approximately 10:25 p.m. on July 23, Special Operations Bureau officers on patrol observed a black, 2-door Honda that did not have a license plate. The officers immediately conducted a traffic stop. The driver, 22-year-old Jareem Tutein, came out of the vehicle and provided an expired driver’s license, Mr. Dratte said. Jareem Tutein (VIPD) During the process, officers observed a black handgun behind the driver’s seat on the floor, at which point Mr. Tutein was immediately detained. The passenger, 29-year-old Roy Hendrikson, exited the vehicle and upon questioning, became aggressive and uncooperative with the officers, according to Mr. Dratte. A physical altercation ensued; the officers and Mr. Hendrikson fell to the ground where they were able to d...