Full Notification

Wilmington Police, Officers Wicks and Vasquez have only been working together, as partners, for only two weeks and have made their third gun arrest in one week.

GUN ARREST #1
On Friday, May 4, at approximately 9:06 pm, Officers Wicks and Vasquez were patrolling in the city's East side when they conducted a vehicle stop on a silver Dodge Avenger, in the 500 block of Lombard Street, for a traffic infraction.

During the stop, as the officers approached the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle, JOSEPH STEINMACHER, 23, of WILMINGTON, exited the vehicle and fled on foot.  After exiting his vehicle, a black RUGER LCP .380 fell from his waist area.

After a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended STEINMACHER.  An inventory search of the vehicle led to 1.5 grams of marijuana, located in the vehicle's cupholder.

STEINMACHER  was charged with the following offenses:

-  Possession of a firearm by person prohibited;
-  Possession of firearm with obliterated serial number;
-  Carrying a concealed deadly weapon;
-  Possession of marijuana;
-  Resisting arrest;
-  Driving while suspended;
-  Failure to have registration plate light;
-  Disregarding a police officer's signal;
-  Possession of weapon in a safe schol zone.

GUN ARREST #2:
On Saturday, May 5, at approximately 10:18 pm, officers Wicks and Vasquez were patrolling in the area of 11th and Pine Streets, when they witnessed a cream colored Lincoln vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed.

A registration inquiry on the vehicle's tag number was identified as being 'suspended' and was also flagged for a shoplifting investigation.

Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 700 block of E. 11th Street.  Officers made contact with the driver, identified as ZYAIRE DUBOSE, 32, of WILMINGTON.

During the stop, DUBOSE willingly indicated that he had a firearm underneath the driver seat.  After removing DUBOSE from the vehicle, officers located a black SPRINGFIELD XDM. 40 CALIBER under the seat.

DUBOSE was charged with the following offenses:

-  Carrying a concealed deadly weapon;
-  Unreasonable speed;
-  Driving while suspended or revoked.

GUN ARREST #3
On Wednesday, May 9, at approximately 11:35 pm, officers Wicks and Vasquez were patrolling in the area of E. 10th and N. Pine Streets when they conducted a motor vehicle stop for a traffic infraction.

As the officers approached the vehicle they detected an odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as:  MALCOLM GRANT, 27, of DOVER.  The front passenger was identified as:  ROBERT PEARSELL, 28, of WILMINGTON.

As one of the officers approached the passenger side door, PEARSELL quickly opened the door, then immediately shut the door.  PEARSELL indicated that he had 2 outstanding capias. 

An inquiry on both subjects determined that PEARSELL had 6 outstanding capias and GRANT had 2 outstanding capias.
While placing PEARSELL in police custody a black Taurus Millenium G2, 9mm handgun was located in his jacket pocket.

GRANT was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of marijuana;
• Driving while suspended or revoked;
• Failure to have required insurance;
• Failure to have required registration card in possession;
• Failure when moving right, or left, or turning to signal continuously.

• Possession of a firearm by person prohibited;
• Carrying a concealed deadly weapon.