St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands — On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Special Operations Bureau Police Officers conducting saturated patrols as part of “Operation Rapid Response” observed a silver Acura TSX being operated on the public roadway without a visible license plate affixed to the front bumper.
Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle; however, the driver did not stop and fled at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the vehicle onto the Melvin H. Evans Highway where a police chase ensued. During the chase the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided into the guardrail. Both the driver and passenger were immediately detained.
After the chase and during the pat down of Elijah Blyden, a firearm and firearm holster were found. The handgun recovered was a “Ghost Gun” with a semi-automatic conversion chip attached to it. Blyden, 18, was subsequently arrested and charged with Carrying of a Firearm, Openly or Concealed and Possession or Sale of Ammunition.
The driver, Kwane Wilson, 19, was also arrested and charged with Reckless Driving and Operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
Bail for Blyden was set at $50,000.00. Bail for Wilson was set at $500.00. Unable to post their respective bail amounts, both men were transported to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility where they were remanded pending their Advise of Rights Hearing.
