The Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Daniel Tesfamihret of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday for numerous charges related to a series of thefts and burglaries in New Castle County that occurred over the last month.
On September 8, 2023, at approximately 12:36 a.m., troopers responded to Cloud High Vape and Smoke at 1 Chesmar Plaza in Newark, regarding a burglary in progress by an unknown suspect with a white work truck, which matched the description of the suspect vehicle in a series of burglaries in the area over the last month. A responding trooper observed a white work truck traveling eastbound on E. Chestnut Hill Road and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The operator disregarded the police signal and proceeded to flee at a high rate of speed onto I-95 northbound. The vehicle struck the concrete barrier on the ramp to I-95 before exiting the roadway into a wooded area. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and the suspect fled on foot into the woods. The suspect disregarded multiple verbal commands to stop by troopers as he continued into the woods. The wooded area was searched and the suspect, identified as Daniel Tesfamihret, was taken into custody with the assistance of a DSP K9.
Tesfamihret was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released for an injury sustained during the canine apprehension. The suspect vehicle was recovered at the scene and discovered to have been reported stolen within the jurisdiction of Maryland’s Montgomery County Police Department in June 2023.
Troop 2 Property Crimes Detectives assumed the investigation. Through investigative means, detectives determined Tesfamihret and the stolen truck were connected to five gas station and tobacco store burglaries and thefts between August 15, 2023, and September 8, 2023, in New Castle County. During that time, Tesfamihret stole property valued at over $14,000 and caused damage valued at over $12,000. After being released from the hospital, Tesfamihret was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 5 counts
- Wearing a Disguise During the Commision of a Felony (Felony) – 4 counts
- Theft Over $1,500 (Felony) – 3 counts
- Receiving Stolen Property Valued Over $1,500 (Felony)
- Disregard a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
- Theft Under $1,500 – 2 counts
- Receiving Stolen Property Valued Under $1,500
- Resisting Arrest
- Criminal Mischief – 5 counts
Tesfamihret was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $20,000 cash bond.