NEW CASTLE, DE — A 39-year-old New Castle man is facing felony assault and related charges after Delaware State Police alleged he fought with troopers during a traffic stop, leaving two officers with injuries.
Troopers were patrolling North Dupont Highway near Hessler Boulevard at approximately 7 p.m. Sept. 19 when they observed a Mitsubishi Lancer without a displayed registration plate, according to state police.
Police said troopers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Nolan Lewis, 39. During the stop, investigators determined the Mitsubishi was unregistered and uninsured and discovered Lewis had multiple active capiases issued by Delaware courts.
As troopers attempted to take Lewis into custody, he allegedly resisted and fought with them, according to state police. Police allege Lewis damaged a trooper’s personal property as well as Delaware State Police property during the struggle.
Troopers eventually took Lewis into custody and placed him in a police vehicle, where police allege he continued kicking and damaged the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the Mitsubishi led troopers to recover a large knife allegedly concealed inside the vehicle, according to state police.
Police said two troopers suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the struggle and were treated and released at the scene. Lewis was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries police said he sustained during the incident.
After his discharge from the hospital, Lewis was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 2 and charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault involving physical injury to a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest with force or violence causing injury, felony carrying a concealed deadly weapon, criminal mischief involving more than $1,000 in property damage, and multiple traffic offenses.
Lewis was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on $7,000 secured bond in addition to the outstanding capiases, according to state police.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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