Delaware State Police have arrested 30-year-old Christian Cole of Frederica, following a pursuit in the early hours of December 1, 2024.
Officials said at around 12:30 a.m., a trooper observed a BMW X5 traveling southbound on Old Beach Road at a high rate of speed and failing to maintain its lane. The vehicle also had only one functioning headlight. When the trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver refused to comply and continued onto Frederica Road, leading to a pursuit. The chase ended when the vehicle stopped in front of a residence on West Front Street.
After the vehicle came to a stop, the trooper approached and repeatedly instructed the sole occupant, later identified as Cole, to exit. Cole initially refused to comply but eventually got out of the car. However, he resisted arrest before being subdued and taken into custody police said. During the interaction, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed a large baggie of suspected marijuana on the passenger seat according to police.
A subsequent search of the car uncovered a loaded 9mm handgun, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 117.48 grams of marijuana added police. In addition, the vehicle was found to be unregistered and displaying a fictitious registration plate.
Cole was transported to Troop 3, where he was charged with numerous offenses, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited who also possessed a controlled substance. Other charges included possession of marijuana in a quantity exceeding personal use limits, resisting arrest, disregarding a police officer’s signal, and several traffic violations.
Following his arrest, Cole was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and subsequently committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $55,705 cash bail.