Troopers Arrest Man for Felony Gun and Drug Charges Following Pursuit in Wilmington

Delaware State Police arrested 21-year-old Harry Anderson of New Castle, Delaware, on felony gun and drug charges after a pursuit yesterday evening in Wilmington.

On August 6, 2024, at approximately 7:57 p.m., a trooper responded to a report of an unrelated trespassing at the Sunoco/Mini Mart, located at 1950 Maryland Avenue, Wilmington. Upon arriving, the trooper observed members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force attempting to take a black male, who was operating a blue and white dirt bike, into custody in the parking lot of the Sunoco. The suspect, wearing a black ski mask and a black satchel, ignored commands of the troopers and fled eastbound on Maryland Avenue.

During the pursuit, the suspect was driving the dirt bike recklessly on multiple Wilmington roadways, frequently glancing back at the pursuing troopers. The pursuit concluded when the dirt bike rapidly slowed at the intersection of Brown Street and Lower Oak Street, causing a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe to strike the rear of the dirt bike. Despite the trooper’s attempt to slow down, the impact from the collision caused the Tahoe to push the dirt bike and suspect against a chain-link fence at the T-intersection.

After coming to a stop, the suspect ignored several verbal commands and reached into his satchel. Troopers then observed a firearm under the suspect’s foot. The suspect, identified as Harry Anderson, was eventually taken into custody following a Taser deployment. Troopers recovered a loaded, untraceable “ghost gun” and 36 oxycodone pills from the immediate area where Anderson was taken into custody. A computer inquiry revealed that Anderson is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Anderson was taken to an area hospital for a non-life-threatening injury sustained during the crash. No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash. After Anderson was discharged from the hospital, he was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $59,200 secured bond.

  • Possess with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
  • Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon within 10 Years of Prior Felony Conviction (Felony)
  • Possess Firearm or Ammunition by Person Prohibited (Felony)
  • Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
  • Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
  • Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
  • Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Reckless Driving
  • Additional Traffic Violations