During a routine traffic stop in the Alban Park area, New Castle County Police apprehended 25-year-old Damean Dunham, discovering a stolen firearm and illegal substances within his black Chevrolet Malibu. This incident, occurring on the evening of Tuesday, highlights increased proactive patrols by the police department's Active Crime Trend Team. The New Castle County Police detailed the event in a social media post on their official Facebook page, informing the public of the find and ensuing charges against Dunham.
Upon stopping the vehicle at the intersection of Alban Drive and Maryland Avenue around 9:21 p.m., detectives found a loaded handgun with a high-capacity magazine that had been reported as stolen out of Philadelphia, PA. Alongside an illegal firearm, Dunham was found to be in possession of a small quantity of what appeared to be crack cocaine. The cache of charges against Dunham includes several felonies ranging from possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony to receiving a stolen firearm. He is also facing a misdemeanor for possession of a counterfeit substance, among others.
Following his arrest, Dunham was brought to New Castle County Police headquarters where he has been charged with multiple felonies, including one felony count each for possession of a large capacity magazine and a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm if previously convicted, possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, carrying a concealed deadly firearm and receiving a stolen firearm. Misdemeanor charges were also recorded for drug-related offenses and traffic violations. According to the social media post by the New Castle County Police, his bail has been set at $154,601.00 cash.
Justice of the Peace Court 11 handled the arraignment, committing Dunham to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution pending the provision of the steep bail. The case, especially considering the stolen gun, underscores an enduring dilemma of firearms circulating unlawfully in urban communities.
