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Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


Delaware State Police Arrest Dover Man After Pursuit in Stolen Vehicle and Resisting Arrest- Lincoln


Date Posted: Tuesday, March 9th, 2021

Lincoln-  Delaware State Police arrested 56-year-old Joseph S. Sanders of Dover on multiple criminal and traffic charges following a pursuit on Monday.

On March 8, 2021, at approximately 11:26 a.m., a trooper patrolling northbound on North Old State Road approaching Fleatown Road observed a white Subaru Legacy make a right-handed turn off of Fleatown Road and begin traveling northbound on North Old State Road before turning into a private driveway. A computer inquiry of the vehicle registration revealed the vehicle was reported stolen on February 26, 2021. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the car as it began exiting the private driveway. The operator failed to stop and began traveling northbound on North Old State Road. The operator of the Subaru conducted multiple moving violations while trying to flee from the trooper. The Subaru turned off North Old State Road onto South Walnut Street and then onto Pennsylvania Avenue, a dead-end street. The Subaru operator pulled to the rear of a residence on Pennsylvania Avenue, quickly exited the vehicle, and attempted to hide under a Jeep Wrangler parked in the yard. The operator complied with the verbal commands given by the trooper to exit from underneath the Jeep. As the trooper attempted to place the operator, later identified as Joseph S. Sanders, under arrest, he began actively resisting and fight the trooper. Sanders failed to comply with commands to stop resisting and taken into custody after being tased. Sanders did not require medical attention. During the altercation, the trooper received a minor injury to his hand and damage to his uniform. The trooper did not require medical attention.

A computer inquiry revealed Sanders was wanted on two active Capias’ out of Sussex County Superior Court and was a fugitive from home confinement.

A search of Sanders’ person incident to arrest the following items were located:

  • Approximately .74 grams of Cocaine
  • Approximately 5.94 grams of Marijuana

An inventory search of the vehicle was conducted, and located inside was a large knife with a blade approximately 8″ in length. 

Sanders was transported to Troop 7, where he was charged with the following crimes:

  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
  • Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
  • Receiving Stolen Property over $1500 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts)
  • Driving While Suspended or Revoked
  • Aggressive Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
  • Possession of Marijuana (Civil Violation)
  • Speeding in Excess of 50 MPH
  • Speeding in Excess of Posted Limit (2 counts)
  • Failure to Signal (2 counts)
  • Driving in Proper Lane and in Proper Direction
  • Fail to remain within the single lane (2 counts)
  • Fail to Obey Traffic Control Devices (2 counts)
  • Fail to Stop at Stop Sign
  • Improper Passing
  • Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree
  • Resisting Arrest with Force (Felony)
  • Assault 3rd Degree
  • Criminal Mischief

Sanders was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,900.00 secured bond for the above charges.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 030921 1210

-End-

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