The Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old teen from Newark, Delaware, for multiple felony charges stemming from residential burglaries and a vehicle theft that occurred over the last week in Newark.
On January 9, 2024, troopers responded to the 700 block of Salem Church Road in Newark for three separate burglary incidents in a 12-hour span of neighboring homes. During the investigations, it was discovered an unknown suspect entered the first home and stole property at approximately 9:38 a.m. The suspect then returned to the area at approximately 12:35 p.m. and damaged the door of a second home while attempting to enter it. During the attempted burglary of the second home, the suspect fled into an adjacent neighborhood after being confronted by the homeowner. The suspect again returned to the area at approximately 8:00 p.m. and stole an SUV from the driveway of a third home; however, he abandoned the SUV after crashing it into a tree on the property. On January 12, 2024, and January 14, 2024, the suspect was reported to be trespassing on the same properties. Through investigative means and with the assistance of Probation and Parole, troopers identified the suspect as a 17-year-old Newark teen on probation.
On January 17, 2024, troopers responded to a home on the 700 block of Salem Church Road for a report of the suspect breaking into a car in the driveway. Upon arriving, troopers located the suspect on the property and attempted to make contact. The suspect refused verbal commands by troopers and fled on foot. He was quickly taken into custody without further incident and taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Attempted Burglary First Degree (Felony)
- Burglary Second Degree (Felony)
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony)
- Theft Under $1,500
- Resisting Arrest
- Criminal Mischief
- Breach of Release – 5 counts
- Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 3 counts
He was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on an $18,750 secured bond.