Arrests Lead To The Recovery Of Weapons And A Stolen ATV

Location: Cannon Drive, south of Bridgeville, Sussex County, DE
Date of Occurrence: Monday, March 29, 2010
Suspects:

Joshua A. Smith, 22, Wesley Church Road, Bridgeville, DE
Justin Dorey, 23, N. Porter Street, Seaford, DE
Alexander Bechtel, 21, North Oak Street, Seaford, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police arrested a 22 year-old Bridgeville man after a month long drug investigation which resulted in the seizure of several hand guns.

Troopers conducted an investigation on Smith after he became the focus of their investigation as a large distributor of marijuana in Sussex County. During the investigation Smith was stopped as he was attempting flee from a storage space he rented on Cannon Drive. Troopers were about to execute a search warrant on the facility when Smith arrived. Troopers recovered a small amount of marijuana from the storage facility and in the car he was driving.

Troopers search Smith’s Wesley Church Road residence where they seized additional marijuana, paraphernalia and three handguns.

Smith was charged with Maintaining a Dwelling, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Smith was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $38,000.

During the investigation involving Smith, troopers observed an ATV and a second vehicle pulling into the storage facility located on Cannon Drive. As the troopers approached the ATV and car both vehicles sped off. Troopers were able to stop the car which was operated by Dorey. The ATV eluded the troopers and fled the scene.

Troopers were able to trace the ATV back to Bechtel and later took him into custody at his residence. The ATV was recovered in the area of Bechtel’s home and it was discovered the ATV was stolen. Troopers conducted a search on Bechtel’s home and recovered a rifle and shotgun

Bechtel was charged with Possession of a Fire Arm by a Person Prohibited, Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest, Conspiracy and Reckless Driving. He was committed to the Department of Correction in default of $9,501 bail.

Dorey was charged with Conspiracy 2nd, Reckless Endangering, Resisting Arrest and Driving During Suspension. No bail information was available at the time of this release.