On a recent patrol near Hartly, Delaware State Police apprehended 47-year-old Richard Butcher of Smyrna after a brief vehicular pursuit that culminated in an equipment violation, according to police reports. Butcher, who led a trooper on a chase that ended for the safety of other motorists, was later found in a soybean field trying to escape on foot.
Butcher's apprehension followed a sequence of events beginning around 8:50 p.m. on September 8, where seeing a Chevrolet Equinox exiting a Royal Farms convenience store prompted a trooper to pull the vehicle over due to a visibly evident issue with the car's equipment. After initiating the traffic stop on Pearson’s Corner Road near Yoder Drive, the Equinox, driven by Butcher, sped away and managed to elude the trooper temporarily. Found later abandoned in the confines of a field, once approached by law enforcement, Butcher attempted to flee, only to be taken into custody shortly thereafter.
A subsequent search by the authorities uncovered 15.02 grams of cocaine on Butcher's person. Further examination of the Equinox revealed a loaded handgun within, escalating the gravity of the charges Butcher would face. He was charged with a battery of offenses, including the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited who also possesses a controlled substance, and disregarding a police officer's signal—all cataloged as felonies.
Following his arrest, Butcher was escorted to Troop 3, where he received additional charges encompassing possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance with aggravating factors, Tier 2 possession of a controlled substance, along with criminal mischief, trespass, breach of release, and sundry traffic violations. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution, Butcher's bond was set at $52,500 cash, as outlined in the authorities’ account.
