Passenger Arrested on Gun Charges During Dover Traffic Stop

DOVER, Del. – The Dover Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the early hours of Friday morning that resulted in the arrest of a passenger.

Officers arrested 39-year-old Rufus Evans on two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition by a person prohibited, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, out-of-state fugitive, resisting arrest, and related charges. Police say Evans’ bond was pending at the time of release, and a mugshot was unavailable. 

On Aug. 14, at approximately 1:02 a.m., a patrol officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Dupont Highway and Rustic Lane after observing a vehicle being operated without headlights and tail lights. During the traffic stop, officers instructed both occupants to exit the vehicle. While the driver complied, the passenger, later identified as Evans, refused to exit. Officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle, but police say Evans attempted to flee through the front driver-side door. After a brief struggle, officers were able to take him into custody.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a Romarm/Cugir Draco 7.62×39 pistol with a magazine containing various cartridges from the front passenger-seat area. Evans was determined to be a person prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.