$20k bail for driver in 'bizarre' police chase
Shannon John, a VIslander, appeared before Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 2020, to answer to several charges.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of Possession of a Controlled Drug but not guilty to the other criminal charge of Reckless and Negligence Act.
John, 34, of Little Dix Hill, Tortola, pleaded guilty to all the traffic offences – Travelling Backwards with a Motor Vehicle more than was Requisite, Failing to Stop at the Sound of a Siren, Driving an Unlicensed Vehicle and Driving an Uninsured Vehicle.
The chase
Prosecutor Annjel X. Flax-Solomon told the court that on May 9, 2020, at about 12:00 pm, members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Her Majesty’s Customs and Immigration Department were on mobile patrol duties along the Blackburn Highway, in the vicinity of Fine Foods Supermarket, when they observed a vehicle approaching in an easterly direction.
The vehicle was void of a license sticker affixed to it.
The RVIPF then engaged their siren and lights, indicating for the vehicle to stop.
Instead of stopping, the vehicle was placed in reverse and a chase commenced with the accused who was later identified as the defendant.
John reversed from a nearby bar next to the supermarket to Fat Hogs Bay, where he took a right into a residential area in Fat Hogs Bay, emerging back unto the Blackburn Highway via the road next to the Natural Food Store.
The accused continued driving backwards, heading east, and then took a left at the East End Police Station and unto Little Dix Hill road where he passed the Fire Station and took the next right, leading to the Francis Lettsome Primary School where he was finally stopped.
Accused had weed on him
Flax said John was asked to step out of the vehicle and when he did he had in his hand a bag containing green vegetable matter, suspected to be cannabis.
He was placed in custody and, when questioned about his actions, he said he decided to attempt to flee because he had ‘weed’ on him.
A search was conducted in the vehicle’s console, and a clear plastic bag containing suspected cannabis was found.
Meanwhile, the sole passenger that was inside the vehicle denied knowing about the bag containing the suspected drug.
The two men were arrested and taken to the Road Town Police Station, along with the cannabis and the vehicle.
When weighed, the suspected drug came up to 30 grams, with an approximate street value of $300.
'Just catching a ride'
Audiovisual interview was done with the passenger and he confirmed that he was “just catching a ride” and had no idea that there was cannabis in the vehicle.
An interview was also conducted with the accused and he confirmed that the cannabis and the vehicle belonged to him and the car was neither licensed nor insured.
The matter has been adjourned to July 8, 2020.
John, who is unrepresented, told Magistrate Benjamin he had no intention of getting an attorney.
The defendant works as a mechanic for a charter company.
As part of his bail conditions, John is to surrender his travel documents to police.
16 Responses to “$20k bail for driver in 'bizarre' police chase”
Rex FeRal ppl like you need to stop it u belive ppl want to go jail in this time hmm man have kids to feed ur @#$ had need to be in the car to see how it feel man with ur sh#*
He got into that unlicensed car
He had drugs to sell
He would not stop for a police siren
He drove backwards for quite some distance which was scary and reckless
Now tell me the part where he didn't want to go to jail or cared for his children?