State police say troopers investigating a burning vehicle arrested a Pennsylvania man on felony weapons and DUI charges.
WILMINGTON, Del. — A vehicle fire along Interstate 495 late Wednesday night led Delaware State Police to arrest a Philadelphia man who investigators say was carrying a loaded handgun while under the influence of alcohol.
Troopers responded at about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday to the northbound lanes of I-495 near East Holly Oak Road for a report of a vehicle on fire.
When troopers arrived, they found a Subaru Outback fully engulfed in flames and observed the driver walking away from the vehicle. The driver was identified as 27-year-old Isaiah Church of Philadelphia.
A local fire company responded and extinguished the fire.
According to Delaware State Police, troopers searched Church during the investigation and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun and two large-capacity magazines. He was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators said Church displayed several signs of impairment and admitted to recently consuming alcohol. He was transported to Troop 1, where troopers continued their DUI investigation and said he continued to exhibit signs of impairment.
Church was charged with:
- Two counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine, both felonies
- Carrying a concealed deadly weapon, a felony
- Possession of a firearm while under the influence
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Related traffic offenses
Church was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and released on a $6,300 unsecured bond.
The cause of the vehicle fire was not disclosed.
Key Points
- A Philadelphia man was arrested after his vehicle caught fire on northbound I-495 near East Holly Oak Road.
- Delaware State Police said troopers recovered a loaded handgun and two large-capacity magazines during the investigation.
- The 27-year-old faces felony weapons charges, DUI and related traffic offenses.