From left to right, mugshots of Rolando Gautier, Nazari Hazel and Heriberto Ramos. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — V.I.P.D. detectives with the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Special Operations Bureau on Thursday arrested three men on separate charges, in an operation the police force dubbed "Lock Them Up".
According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima, at around 5:18 a.m., police arrested Rolando Gautier, age 37 of Peter’s Rest, and charged him with second-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm, discharging or aiming of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. Previously, on December 16, 2019, officers were dispatched to Gautier’s residence for a report of shots fired in the area. Further investigation by detectives led to a warrant being issued for Gautier’s arrest. When the arrest warrant was executed, officers discovered two unlicensed firearms, adding charges to the arrest.
Also, at approximately 5:18 a.m., officers arrested 30-year-old Heriberto Ramos of Castle Burke, charging him with third-degree assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm, discharging or aiming of a firearm, brandishing, exhibiting or using a deadly weapon, simple assault and battery and domestic violence. The arrest stemmed from a January 8 incident, when two females reported that Ramos brandished a firearm and assaulted them with the firearm. An arrest warrant was obtained for the incident, according to Mr. Derima.
Additionally, at 10:25 a.m., officers arrested Nazari J. Hazel, age 20 of Croixville Apartments, and charged him with first-degree reckless endangerment, aiming or discharging of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. Hazel was identified as the individual who discharged a firearm in the Croixville Apartments area on November 11, 2019.
Bail for Gautier was set at $25,000, bail for Ramos was set at $30,000, and bail for Hazel was set at $25,000. Unable to post bail, all three men were remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending their advisement hearing.
