STX Crime This Week

A.J. Pike

Two Arrested After Police Pursuit

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 vehicle 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., which reached over 100mph at one point. Officers pursued the vehicle onto 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 the 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. Mr. Blyden, 18, was subsequently arrested and charged with Carrying 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 Mr. Blyden was set at $50,000. Bail for Mr. Wilson was set at $500. 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 Advice of Rights Hearing.

Man Arrested for Fraud, Passing Bad Checks

On November 18, 2024, Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit (ECU) initiated an investigation into Clifford Charleswell, The investigation revealed that Mr. Charleswell knowingly and designedly defrauded a concrete company of at least $6,024 by paying for 24 loads of pumped concrete with a worthless check, causing a financial loss to the company. Detectives determined that Mr. Charleswell obtained the concrete through false and fraudulent representations and pretenses. 

On October 4, 2026, at around 8 pm, Mr Charleswell was present at the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Operating building, where he turned himself into the VIPD ECU Detectives assigned to the case. Mr. Charleswell was served his Arrest Warrant and placed under arrest, without incident. He was booked and charged with Drawing and Delivering Worthless Checks and Participating on Fraud on Creditors and Obtaining Money by False Pretense. 

Bail was set at $5,000 for the alleged crime. He was unable to post bail and was remanded to the John A. Bell Correction Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing. 

Two Men Arrested for 2025 Northside Road Shooting Incident

On November 27, 2025, at around 11:30pm, the 911 Emergency Call Center received notification of a shooting incident that occurred on Northside Road at the Golden Rock traffic light. Members of the VIPD Patrol Unit and Special Operations Bureau responded to the scene where they identified multiple spent casings and two individuals who were injured during the incident.

An investigation conducted by Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) found Jamil Saker and Niquan Joseph as suspects in the case. On September 29, 2026, a Superior Court Judge signed an arrest warrant for Jamil Saker and Niquan Joseph.

On October 5, 2026, 27- year old Jamil Saker and 20-year old Niquan Joseph were taken into custody. Both men were charged with Assault First and Reckless Endangerment. Bail was set at $100,000. Mr. Saker and Mr. Joseph were booked and transported to the John Bell Adult Correction Facility pending their Advice of Rights Hearing.            

In a separate matter, Mr. Joseph was also wanted in connection with another incident that took place near the Divi Carina Bay Casino. 

On September 18, 2026, at around 10 pm, the CIB executed a search warrant on a vehicle at the Casino parking lot. Two firearms were recovered during the search. 

A Superior Court Judge signed an arrest warrant for Niquan Joseph in reference to this incident. 

On October 5, 2026, Mr. Joseph was taken into custody and charged with Carrying Firearms Openly or Concealed and Possession or Sale of Ammunition. His bail was set at $50,000. Mr. Joseph was booked and transported to the John Bell Adult Correction Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing.