St. Thomas, USVI - On Friday, March 3, 2023, at approximately 11:10 p.m., members of the Virgin Islands Police Department Operation Rewind Task Force were conducting traffic enforcement on Back Street. A traffic stop was initiated with a 2022 white Toyota Corolla without a front license plate. Officers made contact with the driver who did not have the proper documents for the vehicle. The driver gave officers permission to search a bag that was on the back seat of the vehicle which had an impression of a drum-style magazine used in firearms. During the search, Mr. Lamar Richardson, who had identified himself, turned on the vehicle, and drove through the check point at a high rate of speed and against the normal flow of traffic. In an attempt to locate the vehicle, officers made inspections in the Bunker Hill area as well as the Mafolie Hill area with no success of locating the vehicle.
Lamar Richardson
Mr. Richardson was located the following day where he and a friend attempted to evade officers. As officers followed the suspects, each in their own vehicles, it was difficult to keep pace with the suspects without putting other motorists in harm way.
Mr. Lamar Richardson, age 28, with the aid of other sources turned himself into police at the Richard Callwood Command where he was charged and booked. Mr. Richardson was charged with Felon in Possession of Illegal Ammunition, Delaying and Obstructing, and Reckless Endangerment. Bail was set at $100,000.00. Unable to post bail he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections.
Javorn Vanterpool
On Friday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:40 a.m., members of the Virgin Islands Police Department Operation Rewind Task Force were surveilling the location of a known felon/ suspect who was wanted for a crime the previous day. Officers observed Mr. Lamar Richardson (the known suspect) and the driver of a white Ford Focus left the area at a high rate of speed but returned shortly thereafter. Mr. Richardson then exited the Ford Focus and got inside his white Corolla, and both men left in their vehicles at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to follow the vehicles, however, both suspects began over taking other motorist which made it very difficult to keep pace with the suspects without putting other motorist in harm way. Officers with the help of sources were able to locate the white Ford Focus in the area of the airport where it was intercepted. The driver, later identified as Javorn Vanterpool, was taken into custody at that time. Mr. Vanterpool was also in possession of a license firearm and a handheld radio that picked up all the police transmissions.
Javorn Vanterpool, age 25, was charged with Aiding and Abetting a Fugitive, Delaying and Obstructing, and Reckless Endangerment. He was subsequently booked with bail set at $50,000.00. Unable to post bail he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections.
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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.