Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Pennsylvania Man for Illegal Gun Possession Following Trespass Investigation

Date Posted: Tuesday, March 24th, 2026

Graphic titled “News Release New Castle County” featuring a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked with Wilmington skyline and train station in the background. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left with New Castle County highlighted in blue, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

Graphic titled “News Release New Castle County” featuring a Delaware State Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked with Wilmington skyline and train station in the background. A silhouette map of Delaware appears on the left with New Castle County highlighted in blue, the text “BecomeATrooper.com” on the bottom center, and social media icons are shown at the bottom right corner.

The Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Joseph Hertkorn, of Linwood, Pennsylvania, on felony firearm and related charges in connection with a trespass investigation Sunday afternoon in Wilmington.

On March 22, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a business in the 300 block of Naamans Road reported they saw male suspect on their camera system walking around their property holding bolt cutters. The caller reported concerns that the man may try to force entry into the building and provided his description for responding troopers.

A responding trooper located a man matching the description, later identified as Joseph Hertkorn, walking on Naamans Road near the business while carrying bolt cutters. When the trooper attempted to detain him, Hertkorn fled on foot and jumped over a fence toward a nearby home improvement store. During the foot pursuit, the trooper observed Hertkorn discard a handgun.

Additional troopers responded to the area, and Hertkorn was taken into custody without further incident. A search of Hertkorn revealed drug paraphernalia and troopers also recovered the loaded handgun from a nearby wooded area. Further investigation determined Hertkorn is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior violent felony conviction.

Hertkorn was taken to Troop 1 where he was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $44,600 cash bond.

Image of Joseph Hertkorn