DSP News Release: Troopers Looking for Newark Man after Vehicle Pursuit

Location:  DE Rt. 141 southbound just north of I-95, Newport, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Friday, January 07, 2011 at 3:00 a.m.

Suspect:  Jerel Thompson, 20, Newark, DE

Charges:

-Disregarding a Police Officers Signal

-Driving While Suspended or Revoke

-Multiple other Traffic Offenses

Resume:  

Newport- The Delaware State Police have obtained warrants on a Newark man after he led troopers on a vehicle pursuit from Newport to Bear, DE early Friday morning.

The incident began at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Friday, January 7, 2011 as a trooper on routine patrol on westbound Kirkwood Highway east of DE Rt. 141 observed a 2007 Mercedes 350 traveling at a slow rate of speed. The trooper pulled his fully marked patrol vehicle along side of the Mercedes at which time the operator, later identified as Jerel Thompson, 20, of Newark, DE, made a sudden lane change and entered the ramp to southbound DE Rt. 141. The trooper decided to attempt a vehicle stop of the Mercedes and caught up to it on Rt. 141 southbound just north of the I-95 on ramp. The trooper activated his vehicle’s emergency equipment on his fully marked patrol vehicle; however, Thompson refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed on Rt. 141. The trooper pursued the vehicle which traveled along DE Rt. 141, Rt. 202, I-95, DE Rt. 1, and then DE Rt. 71 in Bear, where troopers lost sight of it. However, a witness approached troopers and advised that they had observed the Mercedes pull into the development of Rutledge just off of Rt. 71. Searching officers located the vehicle at the intersection of Yellowfin Lane and Grady Lane in Rutledge. The vehicle was unoccupied and locked. Troopers, along with the assistance of the Delaware State Police helicopter, conducted a search for the occupants of the vehicle; however, they were not located.

Delaware State Police have obtained warrants charging Jerel Thompson with Disregarding a Police Officers Signal, Driving while Suspended or Revoked, and multiple other traffic violations. Thompson is also wanted by the Wilmington Police Department for multiple traffic violations after leading their officers on a pursuit in Wilmington on December 28, 2010.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Jerel Thompson, they are asked to contact state police at Troop 6 at 633-5000. Tips may also be provided through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Callers may remain anonymous. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

Released Monday, January 10, 2011 at 11:55 a.m.