On March 9, 2019, at 1307 hours, a Newark Police Officer stopped a vehicle for a registration violation at the intersection of Hillside Road and West Main Street.  Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  The officer searched the vehicle and located marijuana in the center console of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle, Keith Johnson, 29, of Wilmington, was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of Johnson following the arrest, the officer located a concealed handgun in Johnson’s jacket pocket.

More than 80 grams of marijuana, packaged in smaller bags, was located during the search.

Johnson was transported to Newark Police Headquarters where he was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession With Intent to Deliver Marijuana
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
• Driving While Suspended

Johnson appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 in New Castle and was released on his own recognizance.

On February 26, 2019, officers conducted a follow-up investigation into a burglary that occurred on February 18th at the former site of the Rodney Dormitory Complex on Hillside Road.  During the burglary, copper piping had been removed from the property.  During the investigation, the officers obtained new suspect vehicle information and an employee observed the same truck in the area of the dorms.  An officer in the area located the suspect vehicle on Cheltenham Road and contacted the occupants, who were identified as Thomas McCoog  and Joshua Lanigan, both of Maple Shade, New Jersey.  McCoog and Lanigan were taken into custody by Newark officers.  Newark Police Detectives executed a search warrant on the vehicle and located copper in the bed of the truck.  Additional evidence, including  witness statements, surveillance footage and evidence located from the vehicle were used to link McCoog and Lanigan to burglary incidents from February 18, February 25 and February 26, 2019.

Thomas McCoog, 40 years-of-age, was charged with:

• Burglary Third Degree (3 counts)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (2 counts)
• Theft Under $1500 (3 counts)

McCoog appeared via video before a Justice of the Peace Court and was released after posting $4,000 secured bail.

Joshua Lanigan, 37 years-of-age, was charged with the same offenses.  He appeared via video before a Justice of the Peace Court  and was released on his own recognizance.

Anyone with additional information about these incidents can contact Newark Police via any method from our tips page.

On March 4, 2019 at approximately 0022 hours, officers contacted the vehicle and driver in reference to this incident. Officers identified and spoke with the driver of the vehicle. Based on the investigation, it was determined that no crime occurred.

The Newark Police remind members of the public to be aware of their surroundings, do not walk alone and to call 911 immediately to report suspicious or criminal activity. For additional personal safety tips and resources, see these tips from the University of Delaware or from www.peaceoutsidecampus.org