On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at approximately 2:35 a.m., an Officer assigned to Patrol B-Squad was conducting proactive patrol on North Dupont Highway when they observed a Chevrolet Malibu traveling without a registration plate.
The Officer activated their emergency equipment and attempted to conduct a traffic stop; however, the driver of the Malibu failed to stop, fleeing into Wilmington before striking a curb and a small tree on South Justison Street. After the vehicle came to a stop, responding Officers quickly apprehended the driver, identified as 27-year-old Lafel Crawford of Wilmington, without further incident.
While securing the vehicle, Officers observed a handgun inside the vehicle. The firearm was later determined to be a polymer handgun without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” The handgun was loaded and equipped with an illegal conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch,” which converted the firearm into a fully automatic weapon. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a second loaded handgun, several rounds of ammunition, approximately 2.74 grams of suspected crack cocaine, one suspected MDMA (ecstasy) pill, approximately 6 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Officers further determined that Crawford was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction.
Crawford was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:
- Two felony counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
- One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- One felony count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- One felony count of Possession of a Destructive Weapon
- One felony count of Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal
- One felony count of Conspiracy Second Degree
- One misdemeanor count of Possession of a Controlled Substance
- One misdemeanor count of Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Collision
- One misdemeanor count of Driving While Suspended
- One misdemeanor count of Failure to Have Proof of Insurance in Possession
- One traffic violation for Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
Crawford was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $58,800 cash bail.
Lafel Crawford – 27
