SEAFORD, Del.- Delaware State Police say a traffic stop in western Sussex County has led to the arrest of a Seaford man on heroin and related charges.
Ryan E. West, 26, is charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while suspended or revoked, no proof of insurance or registration and failure to maintain lane.
West's arrest stemmed from an incident that allegedly occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday. Police said a trooper traveling eastbound on Concord Road in the area of Haven Drive, east of Seaford, observed a Pontiac Bonneville traveling westbound on Concord Road enter into the eastbound lane and nearly strike the patrol vehicle.
The trooper turned his vehicle around and made a stop on the Pontiac. Police said that as the trooper made contact with the driver, who was later identified as West, he observed erratic behavior as West was attempting to locate the proper paperwork for the vehicle. Authorities said that as the trooper had West exit the car for further questioning and to initiate a DUI investigation, he concealed his hands in his pockets as if he was attempting to hide something. When the trooper had West turn around in order to conduct a pat down search, police said West immediately began to run.
The foot chase ended shortly as West fell to the ground and continued to conceal his hands in his pockets, according to police. They said the trooper then deployed his Taser, which initially stunned West, but he continued to resist until the trooper was able to physically subdue him without any further incident.
Police said the trooper located on West's person a bag containing 22 individually-packaged bags of suspected heroin totaling .55 grams. He was also in possession of more than $1,180 in suspected drug proceeds, police said.
West was transported back to Troop 5 where he was processed on the aforementioned charges. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 on the charges, as well as a capias out of Sussex County Family Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $8,150 secured bail.
Ryan E. West
