Mugshot of Zaphique Jacobs. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A routine traffic stop for a vehicle violation in the town of Frederiksted on Saturday escalated into an arrest on weapons and other charges, the V.I. Police Department has announced.
According to the VIPD report, at approximately 4:39 p.m. officers from the Special Operations Bureau were patrolling the area near Emancipation Drive and Loops when they noticed a gray Chevy Cruze with an excessively tinted front windshield, violating the AS1 line standard.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the officers detected a strong odor suggestive of marijuana emanating from inside. This observation led to a thorough search of the Chevy Cruze, which resulted in the discovery of a 9mm handgun equipped with an extended magazine. The firearm had an obliterated serial number, raising immediate concerns about its legality. Additionally, the search revealed several clear mason jars and clear sandwich bags, containing a substance that appeared to be marijuana.
As a result of these findings, the driver of the vehicle, identified as 29-year-old Zaphique R. Jacobs, was placed under arrest. He faces charges of carrying of a firearm openly or concealed, and possession with intent to distribute, as well as possession or sale of ammunition. Following his arrest, Jacobs' bail was set at $50,000.00.
