A Delaware man is facing several felony charges after state police say he fought with two troopers during a traffic stop and injured both before a large knife was found inside his vehicle.
39-year-old Nolan Lewis of New Castle was arrested by Delaware State Police on Sept. 19. The incident happened around 7 p.m. near North Dupont Highway and Hessler Boulevard.
Lewis was initially stopped by troopers after they saw his Mitsubishi Lancer without a registration plate. During the stop, troopers determined the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.
Troopers also discovered that Lewis had multiple warrants issued by Delaware courts, according to police.
Traffic Stop Takes a Turn
Troopers were attempting to take Lewis into custody when police say he resisted and fought with them. Two troopers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening during the struggle and were treated and released at the scene.
Lewis was eventually placed inside a police vehicle, but police said he continued kicking and damaged the vehicle. He also damaged personal property belonging to one of the troopers as well as Delaware State Police property.
Troopers later searched the vehicle and found a large knife concealed inside Lewis’ vehicle, according to police.
Lewis was also taken to a hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained during the incident. After he was treated, Lewis was taken to Troop 2 and formally charged
The Charges
Lewis faces two counts of second-degree assault involving physical injury to a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest with force or violence, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, criminal mischief involving more than $1,000 in damage, and multiple traffic offenses.
The Justice of the Peace Court arraigned and committed Lewis to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $7,000 secured bond in addition to the warrants.
Lewis’ arrest comes as Delaware recorded 411 assault-related offenses against law enforcement officers in 2024, according to the state’s latest Crime in Delaware report. Nearly one-quarter of those assaults resulted in an officer injury, while 18% of the assaults against officers in New Castle County resulted in injuries
He Was Already Wanted
Police said Lewis had multiple active capiases from various Delaware courts before the traffic stop. A capias is a court-issued writ that allows law enforcement to take someone into custody and bring them before a judge. In Delaware, it is commonly issued when a defendant fails to appear in court or violates probation.
The case remains pending. Lewis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.