Police Release Details Regarding Yesterday’s SWAT Action In Wilmington

[media-credit name=”Matt Taylor” align=”aligncenter” width=”800″][/media-credit]

Wilmington – During the months of March and April 2018, New Castle County Police Safe Streets started an investigation into narcotic sales by 38-year-old Anthony Dreher. On April 26, members of the New Castle County Police Safe Streets, Drug Control Squad, and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) executed a search warrant at his residence on the unit block of S. Jackson Street Anthony Dreher was not home at the time of the search warrant.

During the execution of the search warrant officers collected 16.1g of crack cocaine, $3,643 of suspected drug proceeds, and related paraphernalia. Arrests warrants were authored, but Anthony Dreher was not located, according to police.

On June 8, New Castle County Police Safe Streets Task Force observed Anthony Dreher, still wanted on felony drug charges operating a vehicle in the unit block of Luray Ave, in the community of Jefferson Farms. Officers attempted to conduct a felony vehicle stop at that time, however, Anthony Dreher parked in the driveway of a residence and fled on foot into a wooded area between Jefferson Farms and Wilmington Manor Gardens and was able to escape capture, according to police. Officials said during a search warrant of the vehicle Anthony Dreher was operating, 0.1g of crack cocaine and $641 in suspected drug proceeds were collected.

Yesterday, July 19, members of the New Castle County Police Special Investigations Squad observed Anthony Dreher on the unit block of S. Jackson St, in the City of Wilmington. New Castle County Police Safe Streets officers drafted a search warrant for that location and notified New Castle County Police SWAT.

As SWAT pulled up in front of the residence, Anthony Dreher was observed running out of the rear of that residence and into another address on S. Jackson Street. Police held that location until another search warrant was drafted for second S. Jackson St. address. SWAT executed that search warrant where Anthony Dreher was taken into custody. He was found hiding in the basement of that residence. Also during the search warrants, 10.5g of crack cocaine packaged for sale, 275g of marijuana from a growing marijuana plant, and related drug paraphernalia was located, according to police.

In total, from the three incidents, Anthony Dreher was charged with: one count of felony Drug Dealing, two counts of felony Possession With Intent to Deliver, one count felony Possession of Tier 3 of Crack Cocaine, felony Possession of Tier 2 of Crack Cocaine, felony Possession of Tier 1 of Marijuana, Two counts of misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, two counts of misdemeanor Resisting Arrest, two count of misdemeanor Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Driving While Suspended.

Anthony Dreher was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $71,251 cash-only bail.

[media-credit name=”Anthony Dreher” align=”aligncenter” width=”480″][/media-credit]

Breaking Report

Wilmington – The New Castle Police Department is currently on scene at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and S. Jackson Street. County Police, with the assistance of Wilmington Police, have surrounded a home on S. Jackson Street.

County SWAT members are on scene with their Bearcat armored vehicle and can be heard hailing someone inside the home.

A witness at the scene, Justina Falco, said she pulled over as police rushed past her to get to the home.

“I was on phone with my fiancé…So they had big guns drawn and kept repeating come out with your hands up and follow New Castle Police Officers orders”

“They said multiple times (suspect’s name) if you are in (address if home) the house come out with your hands up and follow police orders”, said Flaco.

“They gave a final warning and set off what sounded like a cannon explosion”, Flaco said,  likely referring to a flashbang.

Update:

Just before 4:00 officials said that traffic is now open on Lancaster Avenue and Jackson Street.  Access to the on-ramp for I-95 South at MLK Blvd. has been reopened.

Police have released few details regarding the police action but it’s believed that a suspect is in custody.

It’s not clear why police were looking for the suspect or what charges are pending.

Developing

 

[media-credit name=”Justina Falco” align=”aligncenter” width=”800″][/media-credit]

[media-credit name=”Justina Falco” align=”aligncenter” width=”799″][/media-credit]