VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspect. This story will be updated if one is provided.
ST. THOMAS — A traffic stop on St. Thomas for a missing rear license plate ended with felony firearm charges against one man after police said they found a modified Glock pistol with a chambered round, a loaded magazine, an obliterated serial number, and an additional extended magazine inside his vehicle.
The defendant, identified by police as Hayden Buncome, was arrested Friday near Veteran’s Drive and later appeared in court Monday, where Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold all charges against him, adjusted his bail terms, and scheduled his next court appearance for May 15.
Police said officers were on patrol near Veteran’s Drive on Friday when they saw a grey SUV traveling westbound without a rear license plate. Officers then initiated a traffic stop and approached the driver, who identified himself as Hayden Buncome.
According to police, an officer standing near the vehicle said he detected the odor of marijuana and asked Buncome to step out of the SUV. As the officer began searching the vehicle, he saw what appeared to be a firearm on the floorboards.
Police said Buncome confirmed that the object was a gun and admitted that he was not licensed to possess such a weapon in the Virgin Islands.
The firearm was later identified as a Glock 19 with a chambered round and a loaded magazine. Police said the weapon had been modified to enable fully automatic fire and that its serial number had been obliterated. Officers also found another 32-round extended Glock magazine inside a backpack on the front passenger seat.
Buncome was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm within 1000 feet of a school, unauthorized possession of a firearm with conversion kit, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and unauthorized possession of ammunition.
Police said he was unable to meet the initial $75,000 bail requirement and was remanded into custody pending his advice of rights hearing.
During his court appearance on Monday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold all charges. She allowed Buncome to post 8 percent of the required bail amount in cash, with the remainder signed as an unsecured bond.
If released from detention, Buncome will be required to report in person to the probation office twice a week and comply with the other standard bail conditions.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.
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