Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have arrested 38-year-old, Gerald Crooks Jr., of Newark, on drug and weapons charges after he was stopped for a traffic violation, late Tuesday night, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, a Trooper on routine patrol in the area of Kirkwood Highway (Rt. 2) and Limestone Road (Rt. 7) stopped a silver, Honda CRV for a moving traffic violation. Upon making contact with the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, who was identified as Crooks, the Trooper detected an odor of both alcohol and marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Further investigation determined that Crooks was driving under the influence of alcohol and a subsequent search of the vehicle produced a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber handgun, 12.89 grams of marijuana and 85 unit doses of MDMA (ecstasy). according to Austin.
Crooks was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 6 where he was charged with the following:
DUI/Alcohol
Carrying a Concealed Deadly weapon
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Possession of a Firearm while Under the Influence
Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 4 Quantity (MDMA)
Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 5 Quantity (MDMA)
Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Marijuana)
Following Too Closely
Failure to Signal
Crooks was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released after posting $66,550 secured bond.