Laurel, Delaware - Authorities have arrested a man caught driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle with a suspended license.

On July 7, 2024, at 9:27 p.m., an officer from the Laurel Police Department conducted a routine traffic stop on a black Audi A4 at the Carvel Gardens Apartment Complex in Laurel, Delaware. The stop was initiated by a violation related to the Audi's registration.

The driver, 29-year-old Michael N. Sylvester, initially refused to cooperate with the officer by not providing the vehicle's driver's license, registration, or insurance documentation. Eventually, his identity was confirmed as Sylvester (noted above). Subsequent checks disclosed that Sylvester's driver's license was suspended and that the Audi was unregistered and uninsured.

As the investigation continued, it was discovered that Michael was also hiding a loaded firearm in his waistband - without a valid concealed carry permit. This led to his arrest, and the Audi was subsequently impounded.

It's crucial to note that an arrest warrant signifies probable cause. This doesn't mean the arrested person is guilty. They're considered innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Interestingly, this wasn't Michael Sylvester's first encounter with Laurel PD. He was stopped in April 2024 for displaying a fictitious registration on an unregistered and uninsured vehicle with a suspended license.

During that incident, he was charged with similar traffic violations as this case, with an additional "Resisting Arrest" charge. Like the recent event, the Justice of the Peace Court released him on unsecured bail.

Sylvester was transported to the Laurel Police Department for processing, where she was charged with the following crimes:

• Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon A Firearm (Class D Felony)
• Driving While Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor)
• Failure to Have Required Insurance (Misdemeanor)
• Fictitious/Cancelled Registration (Violation)
• Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle (Violation)

After his arraignment by Justice of the Peace Court 7, Michael was released on an unsecured bail amounting to $5,202.