NEWARK, DE — Four juveniles were arrested early Thursday morning following a vehicle pursuit involving a stolen car that ended in Newark. Authorities have released details outlining the series of events and charges brought against the individuals.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on February 6, 2025, a Newark Police officer observed a gray Kia Forte fail to stop at a stop sign near Hillside Road and Sypherd Drive. Upon further inspection, the officer discovered that the vehicle was displaying Delaware registration that had been reported stolen in Wilmington.
The officer alerted the patrol shift, prompting additional units to respond. When law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver fled at high speed, ignoring police signals and committing several traffic violations.
During the pursuit, officers deployed Stop Sticks to safely deflate the vehicle’s tires. This action led to the Kia Forte being abandoned in an apartment complex on Wyoming Road. The suspects had fled on foot but were quickly located by police. Two were discovered hiding in nearby bushes, while the remaining two surrendered without resistance.
Authorities determined all four suspects to be juvenile males from Wilmington, ranging in age from 14 to 16. They were transported to Newark Police Headquarters for processing and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including receiving stolen property, conspiracy, and various traffic violations.
Charges Filed Against Defendants
Each juvenile faces the following charges:
- 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 (two counts)
Bail and Release Details
Following arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court #11, bail conditions varied slightly between the four defendants:
- A 15-year-old male received $3,100 unsecured bail along with a no-contact order with the other defendants before being released to his parents.
- Two 14-year-old males were also released to their parents under similar bail terms of $3,100 unsecured bail and no-contact orders.
- A 16-year-old male was assigned $3,100 secured bail and was transported to the New Castle County Detention Center, also under a no-contact order.
Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations, and the juveniles are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Newark Police noted that their investigation into the events surrounding the incident is ongoing. Further updates may be issued as proceedings continue.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.