Mugshot of Chamaal Weekes. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man appeared before a V.I. Superior Court judge Monday after being arrested for gun-related offenses.
Chamaal Weekes was arrested and charged on Sunday for possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of ammunition, interfering with an officer while discharging his duties and escape from custody of an officer.
His arrest comes after police executed a traffic stop on October 29 on Turpentine Run Road.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, police were conducting traffic enforcement on Turpentine Run Road in the vicinity of the bus stop near FirstBank. During the traffic stop, a red SUV was seen attempting to illegally pass in the oncoming lane while traffic was stopped to allow a vehicle to re-enter traffic. Police stopped the vehicle that was in the oncoming lane and directed it to pull into the bus stop.
When the vehicle pulled into the bus stop, police detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the SUV. Contact was made with the driver and police requested his driver’s license, insurance and vehicle registration. The driver, later identified as Chamaal Weekes, stated that he did not have any identification or documents for the vehicle, and said that they were at home. Weekes was sweating profusely, which prompted police to ask him why. His response was that he had come from away and he was hot. Police asked Weekes whether he had been smoking and he said he had a "joint" earlier in the day, and that the smell was coming from his clothes. Weekes was asked to step out of the vehicle, and he did.
He was patted down for officer safety and was told that a search of his vehicle would be conducted due to the odor of marijuana. Weekes sat on the wall.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, police observed a black and green handgun in the middle console. The search was immediately stopped and other officers were alerted. Weekes was asked if he had a license for the firearm and he responded, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Weekes got off the wall and began to move towards the street, according to the probable cause fact sheet.
Weekes stepped out of the officer’s grasp as police attempted to place him under arrest and ran across the street, evading arrest. Police pursued Weekes as he ran into oncoming traffic, heading towards Banco Popular, then into the intersection heading towards Rodriguez Gas Station.
An officer ran back to the abandoned SUV to secure the vehicle and its contents. The officer then radioed forensics and other units for assistance. One officer agreed to stay with the vehicle until forensics arrived, while the other traveled on foot to assist those who were in pursuit of Weekes.
Weekes was last seen inside the premises of Caribbean Auto Mart. The company was contacted and a representative opened the gate so that officers could conduct the inspection.
The V.I.P.D. Drone Unit was present and conducted an aerial inspection of the dealership and the surrounding areas. Nothing was found. Officers inspected the grounds, vehicles and surrounding areas but found nothing. Forensics arrived and photographed and documented the vehicle and its contents.
Investigations revealed that the handgun found in the middle console was a Taurus PT 145, .45 ACP caliber, which contained one cartridge in the chamber of the firearm and a 10-round capacity magazine which contained ammunition.
Further investigations revealed that the firearm had an obliterated serial number. Drug paraphernalia to include two halves of a grinder which was in the center console contained a green leafy substance inside, bambu rolling paper and crushed tobacco — all used to make marijuana cigarettes. A black holster, a cell phone on the vehicle’s front passenger seat and a wallet in a black backpack on the rear passenger seat were also found.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, Weekes was identified by his Voter’s ID card, Social Security card and bank cards inside the wallet. Investigations concluded that the vehicle was not insured or registered, so it had to be towed.
On October 30, Weekes was placed under arrest after turning himself over to police at the Richard N. Callwood Command.
In court on Monday, a judge ruled that Weekes be allowed to post 10 percent of his $50,000 bail amount and would be released to a third-party custodian.
Weekes is barred from leaving the St. Thomas- St John district and must surrender his passport card. He is to report twice weekly to the Office of Probation and must remain gainfully employed.
His arraignment is set for November 18, 2022.
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