Smyrna-  The Delaware State Police have arrested two Middletown, DE females for reckless endangering and related charges after a traffic stop led to the injury of a Law Enforcement Officer.

The incident occurred on December 10, 2019 at approximately 8:28 p.m., when two member of the Governor’s Task Force (GTF) were on patrol and observed a silver sedan traveling northbound on N. Dupont Highway (SR 13) just south of Carter Road, Smyrna, with an expired registration.  The operator of the vehicle proceeded to make a swift u-turn and began to travel southbound on SR 13.  A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with the operator, 35-year-old Joycelyn M. Rhoades and front passenger, 30-year-old Tia M. Rhoades.  Both suspects initially provided the officers with a false name.  Further investigation and a computer inquiry revealed that Tia Rhoades had active capiases for her arrest.  Tia resisted being placed under arrest and proceeded to take over the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  Joycelyn also resisted arrested and entered the passengers seat of the vehicle.  Tia then placed the vehicle in drive and proceeded to accelerate at a high rate of speed, with the Trooper inside the passenger’s side of the vehicle.  The vehicle traveled approximately 1/2 mile before striking a center median and becoming disabled.  Both Joycelyn and Tia were found to be driving under the influence and drug paraphernalia was located inside the vehicle.  The Trooper sustained minor injures and was treated and released.

Joycelyn and Tia were subsequently taken into custody and transported back to Troop 3 where they were charged with the following:

Joycelyn M. Rhoades:

• Reckless Endanger First Degree
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Offensive Touching of Law Enforcement Officer
• Criminal Impersonation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Failure to Have Required Insurance
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence
• Expired Tags

Joycelyn was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $5551.00 secured bond.

Tia Rhoades:

•  Reckless Endanger First Degree
•  Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Offensive Touching of Law Enforcement Officer
• Criminal Impersonation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence

Tia was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution $5750.00 secured bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 121119 1057

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