Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

Route 1 Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Gun and Drug Arrests

Date Posted: Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Car Stop

The Delaware State Police have arrested a 17-year-old male from New Castle, Delaware on gun and drug dealing charges following a traffic stop that occurred in New Castle on State Route 1 yesterday afternoon.

On August 13, 2025, at about 12:40 p.m., a trooper assigned to the Highway Safety Unit saw a gray Honda Civic with dark tinted windows speeding northbound on State Route 1 north of Wrangle Hill Road at 100 MPH . The trooper stopped the car and saw that the 17-year-old driver was not properly wearing his seatbelt. The trooper also saw and smelled marijuana in the car, which is illegal for a 17-year-old to possess. The driver was taken into custody without incident, and a search of his vehicle led to the discovery of the following:

Approximately 258.25 grams of marijuana
A loaded and concealed handgun with an extended magazine. The gun was reported as stolen by the Wilmington Police Department (Delaware) in July 2025.
Drug dealing paraphernalia
Over $500 in suspected drug proceeds

The 17-year-old was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released to a parent/guardian after posting $11,900 secured bond.