Chester police say traffic stop nets drugs, cash, weapon
CHESTER » An Upland man was arrested on gun and drug charges Thursday after he nearly drove into a police vehicle, according to a release from Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky.
Chester Police Officer Terrance Taylor was traveling south in the 1100 block of Tilghman Street at about 2:45 a.m. when a maroon 2007 Chevrolet Impala drove into his lane of traffic, almost striking his police vehicle, according to the release.
Taylor conducted a vehicle stop on the Impala and spoke with the driver, identified as Naere Alexander-Thorpe. Taylor found Alexander-Thorpe was driving with a suspended license and detained him, according to the release.
During a pat-down on Alexander-Thorpe, Taylor allegedly found a blue plastic bag containing 54 white pills identified as 15mg Oxycodone. A black semi-automatic Glock G19 pistol and a clear sandwich bag containing an unspecified amount of marijuana were also recovered from the vehicle, according to the release.
The pistol – which was loaded with one live round in the chamber and 14 live rounds in the magazine – was confirmed stolen out of Kennet Square, according to the release. Police also seized $2,378 in cash and an iPhone.
Alexander-Thorpe is charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and related drug and traffic offenses, according to online court records.
He as was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Diana Holefelder, who set bail at $250,000 cash, and remanded to the county jail in Concord. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Dawn Vann is scheduled for May 11.