Maryland Avenue Crime-Reduction Initiative Results in Multiple Arrests, Gun and Drug Seizures

Wilmington - A multi-agency crime blitz involving officers from the New Castle County Police Department, Wilmington Police Department, Probation & Parole, and the Delaware State Police has resulted in the arrest of sixty-nine people, the seizure of two guns, and the recovery of a large amount of drugs.

The initiative, which ran daily from May 19 through May 23, addressed crime in the communities along Maryland Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the town of Newport. Troopers from Troop 1, Troop 2, Troop 6, and the Governor's Task Force, New Castle County Police officers assigned to patrol, Safe Streets, and the MET Unit, and Wilmington Police Department officers assigned to patrol and Safe Streets, all took part in the proactive week-long effort to reduce crime in the area.

Sixty-nine adults were arrested, resulting in ninety-five misdemeanor and fifteen felony charges. Forty-four of those arrested had at least one outstanding capias. Officers recovered a 12-gague shotgun, a 9mm handgun, and a stun gun. Also seized were 148 illegal prescription pills, 16.48 grams of crack cocaine, 27.925 grams of heroin, 341 grams of marijuana, and over $15,000 in drug proceeds.

Similar multi-agency efforts will continue to take place in order to combat crime throughout New Castle County.