Newark– Delaware State Police arrested 23-year-old Michael Showell-Potts of Newark, DE on multiple counts of felony theft and related criminal charges after eluding police for months.

A collaborative effort by troopers from Troop 2 and Troop 6 patrol, Troop 2 Drug Unit and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), led to the successful apprehension of Michael Showell-Potts who was taken into custody on February, 03, 2021.  Showell-Potts had active warrants for felony Theft and other criminal charges related to 22 separate incidents beginning on November 27, 2020 up until January 23, 2021.  In addition, Showell-Potts was wanted for numerous traffic related charges stemming from a vehicle pursuit on January 27, 2021.

During the months of December 2020 and January 2021, Showell-Potts targeted numerous businesses in the Newark area and stole Newport cigarettes. Through investigative measures Showell-Potts was identified as the suspect. On January 27, 2021, troopers located the suspect operating the same vehicle used to flee the scene in the prior incidents. A traffic stop was initiated, but Showell-Potts failed to stop and fled from police recklessly and at a high rate of speed.

On February 03, 2021, a search warrant was executed at a residence located on Dumas Place, Newark. Showell-Potts was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 2 where he was charged with the following:

• Theft, Organized Retail Crime Over $1,500 (Felony)- 5 counts
• Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
• Shoplifting Under $1500 – 6 counts
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree- 2 counts
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Numerous Traffic Violations

Showell-Potts was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $21,400 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. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Corporal/1 Jason Hatchell

Released: 020421 1048

-End-

Print This Page