Mugshot of Alexander Milton Petersen Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — Officers in St. Thomas during a traffic stop initiative on Sunday arrested a man after finding marijuana and a firearm in the vehicle he was operating, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The arrest was made during a police initiative on Wimmelskaft Gade (Back Street) called Operation Gridlock, which included law enforcement from a number of government agencies, including the Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources, and the V.I.P.D.
According to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte, a gray Acura driven by 30-year-old Alexander Milton Petersen was observed traveling eastward at 9:39 p.m. Sunday without a license plate affixed to the front bumper of the vehicle. The Acura also had windshield tint with written text below the AS-1 line.
When officers asked Petersen for his documents, a strong smell of marijuana was detected emanating from the vehicle. Both the operator and his front seat passenger, a minor female, were asked to exit the vehicle, according to police.
Upon conducting a search of the vehicle for marijuana, officers discovered a Glock 23 .40 Caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle and two jars containing marijuana, along with an AWS scale, two grinders and other drug paraphernalia for drug distribution, the V.I.P.D. said.
Petersen was arrested for carrying a firearm without authorization, possession of ammunition and possession with intent to distribute.
Unable to make bail of $57,500, Petersen was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing.
