Police recovering stolen vehicle in Estate La Grange after chase resulted in four persons apprehended. Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — What started as police officers sighting a vehicle reported as stolen and attempting to investigate, turned into a high-speed chase where the suspects led officers through Estate La Grange, opening fire on police but ultimately being captured after the stolen vehicle crashed.
The Consortium learned of the incident Friday night and contacted V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima for more details.
Mr. Derima said officers at about 8:16 p.m. Friday noticed a vehicle that was reported stolen on July 4 near a hotel in Frederiksted, where two suspects robbed three tourists of their belongings and carjacked their rental car before fleeing the area.
The vehicle, a white Kia Sportage, was spotted by police patrolling downtown Frederiksted Friday night, Mr. Derima said. Officers attempted to perform a traffic stop, but the four occupants of the Sportage – one adult and three minors — sped off. A high-speed chase ensued, with the suspects leading police into Estate La Grange. While attempting to turn a corner going up a hill, the suspects misjudged the corner, lost control of the vehicle, slammed into and over an embankment, at which point the vehicle came to a stop on its side.
The four occupants, injured, managed to get out the car. One of the four suspects brandished a firearm and started shooting at police, Mr. Derima said. The officers returned fire and injured at least one of the suspects. Thereafter, the suspects tried to run but they couldn't, as they were injured by the accident along with the one suspect who was shot by police.
"They all were caught and they were taken to the hospital for observation and treatment," Mr. Derima said.
Mr. Derima said only one of the suspects will be identified as three of them were minors. He was unable to secure the name of the adult suspect at time of writing.
He said all the suspects will be arrested.
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