The VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspect. This story will be updated if one is provided.
ST. THOMAS — A man accused of pointing what appeared to be a handgun at pedestrians and motorists near the road leading to Ulla F. Muller Elementary School was arrested Tuesday after police recovered a suspected firearm near a tree where he said he had been living.
Pedro Morla-Solano was charged with third-degree assault, processing a firearm during a crime of violence and disturbance of the peace following several complaints received by police between July 15 and July 21.
The complaints described a homeless man harassing pedestrians and motorists and pointing what appeared to be a weapon at people traveling through the area on foot and in vehicles.
Police responded Monday night after receiving a report that Mr. Morla-Solano had pulled a gun on a woman walking with her children and pointed the weapon at a man who attempted to confront him about his behavior.
Officers located Mr. Morla-Solano inside a vehicle in the area. They patted him down and examined the vehicle from outside but did not see a firearm.
Mr. Morla-Solano refused the officers’ request to search the interior of the vehicle. Without permission to search and with no weapon visible, police were unable to take further action at that time.
The following day, a man went to the police station and reported that several neighborhood children had alerted him Monday night about “a man with a gun” near Ulla F. Muller Elementary School.
The witness said he went to investigate and encountered Mr. Morla-Solano with what appeared to be a gun tucked into his waistband.
As the witness drove closer, Mr. Morla-Solano allegedly began pulling the object from his waistband. Concerned for his safety, the man quickly drove away.
He stopped at a nearby carwash and called 911 but told police that no officer responded that evening.
Police said the witness’s account and description of Mr. Morla-Solano were consistent with the numerous reports already received through 911 calls and the VIPD Crime Tip Line.
Officers returned to the area Tuesday night to locate Mr. Morla-Solano.
They found him emerging from beneath a tree in the ghut beside the school.
A search of the immediate area produced what appeared to be a handgun lying beside Mr. Morla-Solano’s cellphone and prescription medication.
He told officers that he lived under the tree. He also claimed ownership of a nearby vehicle, although police said that did not appear to be the case.
Mr. Morla-Solano maintained that the weapon was a BB gun. Officers believed it appeared to be an actual firearm and seized it as evidence for further examination.
He was arrested and remanded into custody pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
Court records indicate that Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull conducted the hearing Wednesday. The outcome had not been made publicly available as of press time.
Mr. Morla-Solano’s arraignment is scheduled for August 7, indicating that the court found probable cause to uphold at least one of the charges against him.
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