2 arrested for guns after tip at Branmar Plaza

Investigation of a suspicious vehicle and occupants led to the gun arrests of two Philadelphia men, state police said Tuesday.

Detectives from Pennsylvania and Delaware are continuing to investigate the pair, Master Cpl. Gary E. Fournier said, adding that "More charges may be forthcoming."

Police were alerted by an employee of a business at Branmar Plaza off Marsh Road in Brandywine Plaza – where there has been a recent rash of robberies – to the vehicle about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Master Cpl. Gary E. Fournier said.

The employee told police a car was backed into a parking spot about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, with two men sitting inside – one of them wearing a hooded sweatshirt and mask, as if he was about to commit a crime, Fournier said.

The car left the shopping center before police arrived, he said, but someone got its Pennsylvania license plate number.

Troopers set up surveillance at the shopping center Friday and, about 9:50 a.m., saw a vehicle matching the description of the one reported Thursday, backed into a parking spot with two men inside, Fournier said.

A computer check showed the vehicle was reported stolen during a robbery in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, in early December 2014, he said.

Additional troopers responded to the parking lot, where the passenger was standing outside the driver's door and "appeared to be clutching an object in the front waistband of his pants," Fournier said.

Troopers ordered him to the ground, but he ran, still clutching his waistband, he said.

The driver also fled, he added.

As the troopers began to pursue the passenger, one of the officers used a stun-gun to subdue him, Fournier said.

As the officer did, he said, "a .380 Smith & Wesson handgun was observed flying into the air from his left hand and was quickly secured."

Cory D. Foster, 26, resisted being taken into custody and, after he was, gave police a false name, Fournier said.

Police later determined the gun was stolen in a burglary in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, he added.

The driver was arrested a short time later as troopers found him walking along Marsh Road, Fournier said.

The driver, who also gave police a false name, later was identified as Lawrence Payton, 25, he said.

A search of the car found a fully loaded 9mm rifle, Fournier said.

Payton was charged with firearm possession by a prohibited person, firearm possession during commission of a felony, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and criminal impersonation.

He was committed to Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington after failing to post $43,000 cash bail.

Foster was taken to Christiana Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, sustained during his apprehension, Fournier said.

He was sent to Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna on the same charges, lacking $73,500 cash bail.

Police did not disclose what past offenses led to Payton and Foster being banned from gun possession.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.