A high-speed chase in the Hawk’s Nest area of Tortola on the night of Sunday, August 25, led to a dramatic series of events, culminating in a vehicle crash, the recovery of an assault rifle, and the discovery of an injured suspect.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed the development in a media release on Monday, August 26, where it said that attempts were made to intercept the two vehicles which were suspected of acting as lookouts. However, the occupants of the vehicles fled the scene, sparking a dangerous pursuit through the area.
The chase escalated when one of the vehicles veered off the road and plunged over an embankment. By the time officers reached the crash site, the occupants had already escaped into the night. Despite the escape, a follow-up operation at dawn on Monday, led to the discovery of an AK-47 assault rifle at the crash site, heightening concerns about the level of criminal activity involved.
In addition to the weapon, police found a male individual nearby with serious injuries. The injured man was promptly transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Authorities have not confirmed whether the injured individual was involved in the high-speed chase but said investigations are ongoing.
While no confirmation has been received from the RVIPF, some residents believe these incidents appear to be linked to the coordinated criminal effort that began earlier in the night when RVIPF, in collaboration with United States Customs Border Control, intercepted a Go-Fast vessel near Jost Van Dyke. The occupants of the vessel fired on officers before abandoning the boat and fleeing on foot on the western end of Tortola.
The RVIPF is now working diligently to piece together the events of the night and identify those responsible for the criminal activities. The public is being urged to assist by providing any information that may be relevant to the investigations.