Man swaps Uber ride for one in the backseat of a cop car

Police say they found a handgun, drug paraphernalia in drunk man’s car

As officers attempted to offer a drunk driver assistance getting home, they incidentally discovered an unlawful handgun and drugs, according to police.

On Sunday, April 12 around 2:58 a.m., West Conshohocken Police were on patrol in the area of the Sunoco and Lukoil stations on Crawford Avenue when an officer observed a man exit the driver’s side of a vehicle, stumbling around it, attempting to get gas at a closed pump.

The man then left the Sunoco, crossing the street to the Lukoil. According to an affidavit of probable cause, the officer saw the man “stumbling in the parking lot.” Coming closer to the man, police conducted a pedestrian stop, and asked the man if he was alright. Police said that he “did not respond, and looked at me with a blank stare.”

When asked again, police say the man responded, “I need gas.” Police said they exited the vehicle to investigate the matter. Police said while speaking to him, he had “an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath” noting that his eyes were also bloodshot and watery, and that he was “swaying to keep his balance,” said the affidavit. 

The man was later identified as Derrick T. Lawson, 44, of the unit block of North 59th Street, in Philadelphia. He told police he was coming from Philadelphia and trying to return there. Police, finding he was unsafe to operate a vehicle, and noting that Lawson too agreed he should not drive, police suggested an Uber order be placed for him.

According to the affidavit, police said Lawson began to order the Uber from his phone, but “needed assistance” from the officer to upload the app. Police said that, as the app requested a credit card, the officer asked Lawson for permission to obtain one from his vehicle. He agreed, stating his debit card was in the ashtray. The officer said none of those in the ashtray, which contained many cards and identification, were a match to his Uber account. 

Police said they then asked Lawson if he had other credit or debit cards in his vehicle, but Lawson was unable to locate any “due to his intoxication,” said the affidavit. Police offered to assist Lawson in finding a card, and Lawson “compiled and exited the vehicle.” 

Upon entering the vehicle, the police found a silver handgun with a black handle, according to the affidavit in the car’s center console. Police said they also saw “drug paraphernalia” in the driver’s side door handle “in plain view.” Lawson did not have a permit to carry a firearm, police said. Instead of an Uber, Lawson was placed in the patrol car and under arrest.

Lawson is facing a felony charge as a person not to possess a firearm, a felony count of DUI, driving under a controlled substance, combination of drug and alcohol, third offense, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on a $5,000 unsecured bail, and released via a bond signature. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 23 at 1:15 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge John I. McMahon Jr.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.