The Lancaster County Drug Task force arrested a man in possession of 548 bags of fentanyl and a Glock Model 26 9mm pistol, which then lead to the arrest of the straw gun purchaser.

On September 13, 2022, around 12:48 a.m., Alexander Rodriguez, 21 of the 600 block of Wyncroft Lane, was stopped by police near his home in a gray 2004 Honda Accord. Rodriguez had an outstanding warrant.

Officers observed a loaded Glock pistol in plain view in Rodriguez’s vehicle.  A subsequent search warrant revealed 548 bags of fentanyl (approximately 16 grams).

Rodriguez is charged with possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, persons not the possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm with altered manufacturer’s number.

Lancaster County Drug Task Force Detectives determined and traced the pistol’s serial number, which had been obliterated, back to a Lancaster County firearms dealer where it was sold to a Mount Joy man on July 12, 2022. It was also determined a LAR-15 .300 Blackout pistol was sold to the same man on August 30, 2022.

Detectives obtained video footage that showed Gavin Strube, 28 of the 400 block of S. Market St., arriving at the firearms dealer with Rodriguez in Rodriguez’s car on August 30, 2022. Rodriguez entered the store alone and looked at firearms for sale before exiting the store. Strube then went into the store and Rodriguez drove out of the parking lot while Strube completed the required Firearms Transaction Record. Rodriguez returned to the parking lot when Strube went to pay for the firearm. Strube paid cash for the firearm and went to retrieve additional quantities of cash from Rodriguez’s vehicle on two separate occasions during the transaction.

Further video footage shows Rodriguez’s vehicle arrive at Strube’s home before traveling to the gun dealer, Strube placing the firearm in the back seat of Rodriguez’s vehicle after the purchase, and Rodriguez’s vehicle returning to Strube’s home.

Strube is charged with two counts each of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm and transferring a purchased firearm to an ineligible person, both third-degree felonies.

Rodriguez remains in Lancaster County Prison. Strube was released on $2,500 unsecured bail.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Lancaster County Drug Task Force Detective Aaron McCoy filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.