On February 6, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a Newark Police Officer observed a gray Kia Forte fail to stop at a stop sign at Hillside Road and Sypherd Drive. As the officer pulled behind the vehicle, they confirmed that the Delaware registration affixed to the Kia Forte was reported stolen out of Wilmington.
The officer relayed the information to the patrol shift, and additional officers responded to assist. As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused to comply and fled at a high rate of speed, committing multiple traffic violations.
During the pursuit, an officer successfully deployed Stop Sticks, which safely deflated the vehicle’s tires. The vehicle then pulled into an apartment complex on Wyoming Road, where officers found it abandoned. The suspects had fled on foot.
Officers conducted a search of the complex and located two suspects hiding in a bush, and they were arrested. The other two suspects surrendered to officers without incident. All four defendants were determined to be juvenile males and were transported to Newark Police Headquarters for processing.
Each defendant was charged with the following offenses:
- Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree
- Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal
- No Valid License
- Aggressive Driving
- Unreasonable Speed
- Failure to Stop at a Red Light
- Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (x2)
Following arraignment at JP Court #11, the defendants received the following bail conditions:
- Defendant 1 (15-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
- Defendant 2 (14-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
- Defendant 3 (14-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
- Defendant 4 (16-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Secured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Transported to New Castle County Detention Center.