Smyrna Police arrest Claymont man with stolen handgun during traffic stop

Richard Massetti, 21, Claymont, DE

Smyrna Police patrol officers arrested a Claymont man who was found to possess a stolen handgun during a recent traffic stop. On Thursday, 2/17/22 at approximately 3:30 p.m. a Smyrna Police Officer on patrol stopped a pickup truck for registration violations on US 13 in the area of S Carter Rd. Upon contacting the driver, Richard Massetti, 21 of Claymont and his passenger, probable cause was developed for a motor vehicle search. During the search, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was reported stolen to the Wilmington Police Department in 2021 concealed within the vehicle compartment. Mr. Massetti was arrested and brought to SPD where he was charged and arraigned on the following in JP #2 via video court:

Carrying a concealed deadly weapon

Receiving a stolen firearm

Driving while suspended

Operation of an unregistered motor vehicle/Failure to transfer registration

Mr. Massetti was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $4,200 secured bond pending a future court hearing.