ST. THOMAS — A man and woman have both been arrested on firearm charges after police tracked them down in a vehicle they were reportedly not authorized to use. 

According to the probable cause fact sheet, on Saturday afternoon police traveled to the intersection of Subbase Road and Moravian Highway after receiving a report of unauthorized use of a vehicle. Officers were informed that the male suspect was operating a white Honda Crosstour and was known to carry a firearm. 

Upon arriving at the intersection, the officers observed a vehicle fitting the description at the stop light. An officer pulled up in front of the vehicle, exited and ordered the driver to exit with his hands up. The driver, later identified as Kiante Christopher did not comply with the orders, despite the officer issuing the command several times. The officer reportedly observed Christopher making furtive movements, reaching towards his glove box across his passenger and looking under his seat towards the back of the vehicle.

While he eventually exited the vehicle, according to the fact sheet Christopher ordered the passenger to lock the doors because he did not want the police to search the vehicle. Police say he kept looking back nervously at the vehicle, telling the passenger to keep the doors locked. Police handcuffed Christopher and had him sit on the curb with his legs crossed, while they ordered the passenger later identified as Shyrah Isaac to exit the vehicle. Christopher once again told her to close the door but she failed to do so while exiting the vehicle. 

Christopher was placed in the back of a police unit while officers conducted an inspection of the vehicle, which had been reported stolen. According to the fact sheet, the owner of the vehicle claimed that she had given Christopher the paperwork to register the vehicle for her, but he instead put it in his name. 

During an inspection of the vehicle, police detected the smell of marijuana and discovered several baggies and a scale. They also found a 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number in a black bag which was tucked between the center console and the driver’s seat. The weapon contained 14 9mm cartridges, according to police. The pair were placed under arrest and taken to the Richard N Callwoord Command. Bail was set at $75,000 each and the two were turned over to the Bureau of Corrections to await their advisement hearings.

On Monday, Isaac’s bail was lowered to $50,000 with a 10 percent provision as she had no prior contact with the criminal justice system. Meanwhile, bail was not lowered for Christian who does have a prior arrest record. He was however granted a 10 percent provision. Both individuals will be released into the third-party custody of relatives.

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