Delaware State Police
News Release

Suspect Knocks Trooper to the Ground during DUI Stop

Released- Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wilmington- On June 26th, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a State Trooper stopped a vehicle in reference to a traffic violation. The suspect vehicle, a 1994 Mazda Protégé, pulled over into the parking lot of the Shell Station on Kirkwood Highway and Route 7.

The operator of the vehicle was identified as Philip Burley, 26, of Old Capitol Trail. He was belligerent with the initial officer which prompted the response by a second officer for back up.

Mr. Burley continued to be uncooperative. He was eventually arrested for DUI and handcuffed. When Troopers told him to sit in the back of the patrol car, he refused. He was told several times to sit down at which time Burley forced his body toward an officer standing in front of him, knocking this officer to the ground. Troopers then successfully secured Mr. Burley in the patrol car and transported him back to Troop 6. It was noted that a search of Burley’s person yielded suspected marijuana and a pipe to smoke same.

Philip Burley was formally charged with the following- misdemeanor offenses: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Offensive Touching of a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana and DUI. He was released on a $4,500.00 unsecured bond.