Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Frederica Man Arrested After Pursuit Leads to Discovery of Firearm and Drugs

Date Posted: Sunday, December 1st, 2024

Delaware State Police arrested 30-year-old Christian Cole of Frederica, Delaware, following a pursuit early this morning.

On December 1, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a trooper observed a BMW X5 traveling southbound on Old Beach Road in Frederica at a high rate of speed and failing to maintain its lane of travel. The vehicle was also operating with only one working headlight. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to comply and continued onto Frederica Road. The pursuit concluded when the vehicle turned onto West Front Street and stopped in front of a residence on West Front Street.

The trooper approached the vehicle and repeatedly instructed the sole occupant, later identified as Christian Cole, to exit. Cole initially refused to comply but eventually exited the car. After doing so, he resisted arrest before being taken into custody.

During the interaction, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed a large baggie of suspected marijuana on the passenger seat. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm handgun, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 117.48 grams of marijuana. A computer check revealed that the car was unregistered and displayed a fictitious registration plate.

Cole was transported to Troop 3, charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $55,705 cash bail.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited who also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony)
Possession of Marijuana Other Than Personal Use Quantity
Resisting Arrest
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Multiple traffic offenses