On September 15th, 2022 at approximately 1:30pm Laurel Police Department was dispatched to the Laurel Elementary School in reference to a criminal mischief complaint. The investigation determined that a female subject identified as Crystal Brummell, 36, of Laurel, DE, had allegedly slashed tires of two school employee’s vehicles after a school-related disagreement. During the incident, it is also alleged that Brummell threatened a school official. Brummell was later arrested for the incident, and issued a no-contact order with the school. The criminal mischief case is still pending in court, and Brummell is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. However, a condition of her release was a no-contact order to ensure victim safety.
On September 20th, 2022 at approximately 7:40am, officers on patrol observed Brummell parked on Evergreen Drive near Laurel Elementary School. Evergreen Drive directly borders the school, constituting a violation of the no-contact order from the above incident. At approximately 8:26am, a Laurel Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Brummell’s vehicle for the observed violation. Brummell failed to stop for police signal, and fled down multiple residential streets in the area of Little Creek Apartments on W 7th Street in Laurel. The vehicle pursuit was discontinued in the interest of public safety. Officers attempted to have Brummell turn herself in on this incident to avoid any further incident however she declined.
Later that same day at approximately 2:56pm, another officer on patrol observed Brummell’s vehicle in the area of Georgetown Road and Sussex Highway, Laurel. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, and Brummell again fled in her vehicle while disregarding police signal. Brummel failed to stop at the red light at Sussex Highway and fled Eastbound on County Seat Highway from officers. Brummel eventually pulled to the right shoulder, where officers attempted to take her into custody. Brummell failed to follow lawful orders given to her to affect an arrest, and again fled Eastbound in her vehicle. Officers successfully deployed stop sticks in front of Brummell’s vehicle, which deflated three of four tires. The vehicle became disabled after almost colliding with a police vehicle while reversing, and officers again attempted to take Brummell safely into custody. Brummell continued to resist arrest, and was taken into custody after a taser deployment by arresting officers. It was determined that during the pursuit, Brummell had multiple children in the vehicle who were not injured during the incident.
Brummell was evaluated by EMS as a precaution due to the taser deployment and declined further treatment or transport to a medical facility. She was transported to the Laurel Police Department and charged with the following:
Disregarding Police Signal x2 (Class G Felony)
Resisting Arrest x2 (Class A Misdemeanor)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child x4 (Class A Misdemeanor)
Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree x4 (Class A Misdemeanor)
Breach of Release (Misdemeanor)
Related Traffic Offenses
Brummell was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $15,000 cash only bail for all charges.
At this time, Brummell is charged with the above crimes and believed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.