NEW GARDEN — A routine traffic stop for speeding led to the arrest of a Coatesville man, but not before the police officer got into a struggle with the driver in an attempt to gain control of a stolen gun.
On March 1, at approximately 11:45 pm, an officer of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department was on patrol in the area of Gap Newport Pike and Newark Road. when he observed a dark-colored Kia traveling at a high rate of speed.
The officer continued to follow and observed several additional erratic driving behaviors. At the intersection of Newark Rd and Baltimore Pike, the vehicle went airborne.
A traffic stop was conducted in the 1500 block of Newark Road. Contact was made with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, he was identified as Victor Paskings-Woodward, 27, of Coatesville. It was discovered that Paskings had a suspended driver’s license, police said.
When asked, Paskings stated that officers could search the vehicle and check him for weapons. During a pat down, officers felt a hard metal object in his pants.
A struggle ensued due to Paskings pushing officers out of his way and attempting to run. Officers were able to gain control and Paskings was detained. During the custodial search, officers recovered from Paskings pants, a black Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
The firearm was discovered to be stolen out of East Fallowfield Township and was loaded with 8 full metal jacket rounds and an additional round in the chamber.
Medical personnel were dispatched to Southern Chester County Regional Police headquarters due to Paskings having minor injuries from the struggle but medical treatment was refused.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Paskings-Woodward was charged with multiple firearms offenses, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and other counts and was transported to Chester County Prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on March 30.
