Baggy britches bring down wanted Waynesboro suspect

The Waynesboro Police Department arrested a wanted Charlottesville man Tuesday afternoon after he ran from police officers but was eventually caught near an elementary school when his baggy britches caused him to trip.

Delos Lamont Wells, 38 years old, was wanted on two Waynesboro bench warrants and two Charlottesville warrants when officers caught up with him at a residence in the 200 block of North Charlotte Avenue, which is in close proximity to Wenonah Elementary School.

At approximately 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, officers attempted to arrest Wells when he fled on foot.  Officers pursued him, but Wells’ pants and undergarments fell down to his knees apparently causing him to trip.  He was taken into custody approximately 300 yards away on 8th Street.

With the assistance of a Virginia State Police K-9 unit, officers were able to recover a 9mm handgun and two grams of crack cocaine that Wells had ditched while he ran.  Officers found a fully loaded 30 round magazine, synthetic marijuana (“spice”) and over $1100 in cash on Wells’ person.

Wells was wanted on the following charges:

Waynesboro

• Probations Violations – from a 2009 conviction for drug distribution
• Capias/Failure to Appear – for his arrest on April 29, 2015 on drug distribution

 

Charlottesville

• Failure to Re-Register as a Violent Sex Offender (two felony counts). Wells was convicted of rape in 1996 in Charlottesville Circuit Court according to the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry.

Charges are pending against Wells from yesterday’s incident.  He will likely face firearms charges and drug distribution within 1,000 feet of a school.

He is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

 

Update to warrants: 3:32 p.m. Wells was just additionally charged with:

1. 18.2-308.2 – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
2. 18.2 – 308.4 – possession of a Schedule I or II drug while in possession of a firearm
3. 18.2-255.2 – distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
4. 18.2-248 – possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine
5. 18.2-479.1 – resisting arrest (misdemeanor)