St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – Officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department arrested 29-year-old Samuel Rivera Jr. for Reckless Endangerment First, Possession of Unlicensed Firearm and Escape from Custody.
On July 26, 2026, at approximately 6:46 a.m., officers were dispatched by the VITEMA 911 Emergency Call Center to investigate a reported discharging of shots incident in the Richmond area.
Upon the officers’ arrival near the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Richmond, they observed two males who apparently had a gun. Despite the verbal commands from the officers, one male entered a Richmond residence, where he was suspected of concealing a firearm that officers reported observing.
The male, identified as Samuel Rivra, Jr., was detained while officers secured a telephonic warrant for the residence. Upon obtaining authorization from the court, officers conducted a search and recovered the firearm and located shell casings.
After being transported to Ancilmo D. Marshall Command Police Station, the Rivera complained of chest pains. He was subsequently transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for medical evaluation. While leaving the hospital, Rivera escaped from custody.
Samuel Rivera subsequently turned himself into the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station. He was then transported to Wilbur H. Francis Command where he was processed and booked. Bail was set at $30,000.00 as per chart. He was remanded into custody at John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing.
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