Delaware State Police have arrested two men on multiple criminal charges after a physical altercation with a gun in Rehoboth Beach, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said on December 25, 2021, at approximately 1:01 a.m., troopers were dispatched to a bar located at 19406 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach for a fight in progress. Reports indicated two individuals were struck in the face with a pistol, and one suspect fired a weapon.
As Troopers responded to the scene the suspects fled in a red Mitsubishi Outback SUV. One trooper traveling southbound on Coastal Highway observed the vehicle turning onto Coastal Highway as it exited the parking lot of the bar. The trooper conducted a traffic stop on the Mitsubishi. Pepper said that the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana as he approached the vehicle. As the trooper got closer to the vehicle, the front seat passenger, Joshua R. Daniels, 25, of Lincoln, exited the vehicle. The trooper attempted to take Daniels into custody, however, he tried to flee from and resisted arrest, according to Pepper.
Daniels was eventually taken into custody and was searched during the arrest. During the search, the trooper found a 9mm bullet on Danials’ person, according to Pepper. While the Trooper was dealing with Danials the rear passenger, Malik R. Rothwell,24, of Ellendale, exited the vehicle and attempted to flee from the scene, according to Pepper. He was apprehended and placed under arrest.
Once the suspects were in custody, a search of the vehicle was conducted with the following items located inside:
1- Ruger EC9S 9mm semiautomatic handgun with 8 9mm rounds in the gun’s magazine
Approximately 6.02 grams of Marijuana
1 Colt Detective Special .38 special revolver containing 5 loaded .38 special rounds
1 .38 special casing
Approximately 0.077 grams of Heroin
Pepper said the investigation determined a 23-year-old female and 23-year-old male were exiting the bar when they were confronted by Daniels and Rothwell. An argument ensued, which resulted in Daniels striking the male victim in the head with a closed fist multiple times. As the female victim attempted to break up the fight, Daniels began physically assaulting the female before Daniels and Rothwell brandished firearms, began pointing them at the victims, and threatened to kill them said Pepper. Daniels then struck the victims in the face with the handgun. During the fight, Rothwell pointed a gun in the air and fired one round before the suspects fled the scene.
Daniels is charged with:
Three Counts- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Two Counts- Assault Second Degree (Felony)
Two Counts- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)
Terroristic Threatening
Resisting Arrest
Possession of Marijuana- Civil Violation
Daniels was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $84,100.00 secured bond.
Rothwell is charged with:
Three Counts- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Two Counts- Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
Two Counts- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)
Terroristic Threatening
Resisting Arrest
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Rothwell was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $107,200.00 secured bond.