DSP News Release: Monday, March 30, 2009- Traffic Stop Yields Loaded Beretta Handgun

Location of Incident: Route 4 and Salem Church Road, Newark, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Monday, March 30, 2009, at approximately 1:35 a.m.

Suspect(s): Charles Ragnis, 21, of Old Baltimore Pike in Newark, Delaware

Resume: At about 1:30 a.m. this morning, a Troop 6 patrol sergeant was traveling on Route 4 in Newark when he observed a maroon Chevrolet pick up truck jump the median from Route 4 eastbound to Route 4 westbound in the area of Salem Church Road.

The sergeant then observed the vehicle disregard a red light and make a left onto Salem Church Rd. The truck accelerated in excess of 70 mph at which time a traffic stop ensued.

The Trooper spoke with the operator, identified as Charles Ragnis, and soon learned a handgun was in the truck.  The sergeant then recovered a concealed and loaded 40 caliber Beretta handgun.

Ragnis was taken into custody and transported back to Troop 6 where he was formally charged with the following offenses: Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (felony), Unreasonable Speed (traffic offense), Disregarding a Red Light (traffic offense) and Driving Across the Median (traffic offense).