BEAR, DE — On the afternoon of January 1, 2024, three teenagers were taken into custody following allegations of car thefts and a high-speed chase in New Castle County. Officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Varsity Lane after receiving reports of several suspects breaking into cars and driving a blue Kia SUV.
Upon arrival, officers spotted the blue Kia and a white Hyundai Sonata leaving the apartment complex. Attempts to stop the vehicles resulted in both cars fleeing at high speed. Officers pursued the blue Kia, which was driven erratically, committing multiple traffic violations. For safety reasons, the chase was abandoned.
The Kia Sportage was later located again in New Castle and fled into Wilmington where it collided with a parked vehicle. Multiple suspects reportedly exited the vehicle and ran in different directions. After several foot pursuits, officers apprehended three suspects.
The suspects, all from Wilmington, were identified as two 14-year-old males and one 15-year-old male. Charges against them include multiple felony counts of disregarding a police officer’s signal, receiving stolen property, conspiracy in the second degree, as well as misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and various traffic violations.
The Kia Sportage was determined to have been stolen from the Village at Fox Point apartments on December 27, 2023, while the Hyundai Sonata, stolen from the Villas apartments on January 1, 2024, remains missing. It appears that the juveniles may have conducted multiple thefts and attempted thefts before being apprehended by officers.
Authorities are urging anyone with surveillance footage or information related to these incidents or the two stolen vehicles to contact the New Castle County Division of Police at (302) 573-2800 or Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.
As always in criminal cases, it is crucial to remember that these charges are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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