Wilmington police: Seat belt violation turns up marijuana, handgun

A 34-year-old Wilmington man was arrested on a weapons offense when stopped Tuesday night by police for failing to wear a seat belt.

Taryn Ross, of the 400 block of W. 22nd St., was charged with possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, marijuana possession, driving suspended and seat belt violation, said Cpl. Mark Ivey.

The incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Washington St., where Ross was stopped by patrol Officers Justin Wilkers and John Mitchell in the black Chevrolet Caprice he was driving for not wearing a seat belt, Ivey said.

Officers determined that Ross was driving with a suspended license and searched both him and the car, Ivey said.

He said they recovered 2.8 grams of marijuana from his pocket and a loaded .380 handgun with an obliterated serial number from his car.

Ross was later released after posting $16,500 secured bail.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Wilmington Police Confidential Tip Line at (302) 576-3990.

Contact Terri Sanginiti at (302) 324-2771 or tsanginiti@delawareonline.com.