Routine Stop in Bensalem Leads to Arrests for Drugs and Firearm
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, a routine traffic stop in Bensalem led to a dramatic pursuit and the arrest of two men on drug and firearms charges. The incident occurred at approximately 2:43 PM when a Bensalem Police Patrol Officer conducted a traffic stop on a black Nissan Pathfinder SUV in the 3500 block of Bristol Pike.
The vehicle, bearing Pennsylvania registration MMN-4903, was flagged for having a suspended registration according to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
The officer approached the vehicle and contacted the driver 36-year-old Taheem Armstrong of Bristol, PA, and the front-seat passenger 30-year-old Kevin Williams of Philadelphia, PA. Further investigation revealed that Armstrong had a suspended license due to a previous DUI and an active warrant issued in May 2024 for drug delivery in Bensalem Township.
As the situation escalated, both Armstrong and Williams exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Williams was seen carrying a gray backpack as he ran from the police. Authorities quickly set up a perimeter and launched a search, assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police and Amtrak Police due to the proximity of nearby rail lines.
During the search, officers discovered the abandoned gray backpack in the area. Inside, they found paperwork bearing Kevin Williams’ name, personal items, and a bag of suspected heroin/fentanyl as well as a 9 mm gray/black in color VERSA handgun.
Additionally, the search of the Nissan Pathfinder revealed approximately 30 grams of heroin, a blender, and various packaging materials commonly used in drug distribution.
The search continued for nearly three hours before law enforcement spotted the suspects near Route 13 and Interstate 95 in Bensalem. After a brief foot chase, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) managed to apprehend both Armstrong and Williams.
During the arrest, the suspects resisted and failed to comply with police commands, resulting in minor injuries to a PSP trooper, who was later treated and released from a local hospital.
Both Armstrong and Williams were found in possession of suspected marijuana at the time of their arrest. Further checks revealed that Williams had a felony conviction and no permit to carry a firearm.
Armstrong was charged with narcotics offenses, resisting arrest, and multiple related charges, as well as traffic violations. He was arraigned by District Justice Hughes, who set his bail at 10% of $200,000. Armstrong has since been remanded to Bucks County Prison.
Williams faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, other firearm-related offenses, narcotics offenses, and additional related charges. His bail was also set at 10% of $200,000 by District Justice Hughes, and he too was remanded to Bucks County Prison.
Link to Bensalem Police Department Official Press Release