Police seize cars guns and cash in sweeping Delaware bust
Newark, DE — A routine patrol discovery of a stolen vehicle set off an investigation that led police to recover multiple cars, firearms, and drugs while arresting a Delaware man now facing a wide range of charges.
The investigation began April 16 around 9:17 p.m. when Newark Police officers located a stolen vehicle in a parking lot along the 600 block of South College Avenue. Authorities determined the vehicle had been in the possession of 43-year-old Marcel J. Cooper of Claymont.
As the investigation expanded, officers developed information linking Cooper to additional stolen vehicles. Search warrants were obtained for his residence and an associated auto body shop in Claymont.
On April 22, officers executed the warrants and recovered five more stolen vehicles, bringing the total to six. Police also seized approximately $12,000 in cash, two firearms, ammunition, large-capacity magazines, drug paraphernalia, and about 1.81 pounds of marijuana.
Cooper was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, receiving stolen property over $1,500, and offenses related to altered vehicle identification numbers. Additional charges include possession of an assault weapon and large-capacity magazines.
He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $93,000 cash bail.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to examine potential connections to additional criminal activity.
Key Points
- Six stolen vehicles recovered during Newark police investigation
- Firearms, drugs, and $12,000 in cash seized during searches
- Claymont man charged and held on $93,000 cash bail
