The Delaware State Police have arrested 61-year-old Michael West of New Castle, Delaware following an incident that occurred in a Newark parking lot earlier this month.

On April 4, 2023, at approximately 4:36 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot of the Popeyes restaurant located at 80 McIntosh Plaza regarding an aggravated menacing. Troopers arrived and spoke with a 36-year-old woman who said that an unknown man had just pointed a handgun at her. Troopers learned that the man had parked his gray Jeep Renegade next to the victim’s parked car outside of the restaurant. The man then began arguing with the victim over how she had been positioned too close to his parking spot line before he got there. During the argument, the man pulled a handgun out from his waistband and pointed it at the woman and her 9-year-old daughter in the car. The man then left the area towards an unknown destination.

As the investigation progressed, troopers developed Michael West as the suspect in this case. On April 12, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., troopers took West into custody at his residence without incident. Troopers also recovered the handgun West used in this incident.

West was taken to Troop 6 and charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)

West was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $25,000 unsecured bond.

Troopers Investigating Aggravated Menacing

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 041723  1248

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