Full Notification

An investigation by the Wilmington Police Department’s Drug, Organized Crime and Vice Division and the Safe Streets Task Force has resulted in the arrest of a father and son, as well as the recovery of guns and drugs.
 
On March 12, police executed search warrants issued by Justice of the Peace Court 11 on a residence in the 1100 block of East 14^th Street in Wilmington, and on a residence and vehicle in the 600 block of 5^th Street, Newark.
 
During the search at the Wilmington residence, police recovered five firearms, including a .223-caliber semi-automatic pistol with three magazines and an Uzi .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
 
Police also recovered a white ballistic vest, 202 rounds of rifle ammunition, one box of 9mm rounds, 141 grams of cocaine, 64.2 grams of crack cocaine, 15 grams of marijuana and $110 in currency.
 
At the Newark location, police recovered $12,317 in currency, a black 2008 Chrysler 300 and miscellaneous papers, packaging material, digital scales and a pill bottle.
 
While executing the warrant at the Newark residence, 35-year-old Andre Church was taken into custody and transported to Wilmington Police headquarters. He has been charged with the following:
 

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm
• Conspiracy (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (3 Counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 
He was arraigned in the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and released after posting $66,500 secured bail.
 
As the investigation continued, Church was subsequently indicted on additional charges in the New Castle County Superior Court:
 

• Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited (5 Counts)
• Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited (4 Counts)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 Counts)
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

 
Those additional charges are pending.
 
The suspect’s father, 55-year-old Andre Church, arrived at police headquarters on his own volition to request information and was also taken into custody. He has been charged with the following:
 

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm
• Conspiracy (Second Degree)
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Two Counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released after posting $66,000 secured bail.