Man ditches gun while fleeing trespass call near Delaware business
WILMINGTON, Del. — A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he fled from troopers and discarded a loaded handgun during a trespass investigation.
Joseph Hertkorn, 40, of Linwood, was arrested March 22 following an incident near a business on Naamans Road.
Authorities said employees reported seeing a man on surveillance walking around the property carrying bolt cutters and feared he was attempting to break in.
A responding trooper located Hertkorn nearby and attempted to detain him, but he fled on foot, jumping a fence toward a nearby store.
During the chase, police said Hertkorn threw away a handgun, which was later recovered from a wooded area.
Troopers also found drug paraphernalia on him at the time of arrest.
Investigators determined Hertkorn was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior violent felony conviction.
He now faces multiple charges, including firearm possession by a prohibited person, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of burglar tools and resisting arrest. He was committed to jail on a $44,600 cash bond.
Key Points
- Suspect fled from troopers during trespass investigation in Wilmington
- Loaded handgun discarded during foot chase and later recovered
- Man faces multiple felony gun and burglary-related charges
