Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Troopers Arrest Two Teens for Attempting to Steal Kia and Resisting Arrest

Date Posted: Sunday, February 18th, 2024

News Release text with State Police vehicle in the background

Delaware State Police arrested a 13-year-old teen and a 14-year-old teen, both from Dover, Delaware, for multiple felony offenses after they attempted to steal a Kia from a residential driveway in Dover on Friday night.

On February 16, 2024, at approximately 11:27 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Nobles Pond Crossing in Dover, for a report of two suspicious males dressed in all black attempting to break into vehicles in the neighborhood. Upon arriving, troopers searched the neighborhood for the suspects, during which they observed a Kia Sorento with a shattered window parked in a driveway on Winding Carriage Lane. Troopers discovered the Kia’s rear passenger window had been shattered and the ignition had been ripped out. This type of damage is consistent with the nationwide trend of Kias being stolen using a screwdriver and a USB cable. While searching the area, a trooper observed two males wearing all black walking in the intersection of Colt Lane and Peacock Place. As the trooper attempted to make contact with them, the two males fled in a southeast direction on Peacock Place. In the ensuing foot chase, the suspects did not comply with multiple verbal commands to stop. One of the suspects, identified as the 13-year-old teen, eventually complied and was taken into custody without incident. A short time later, the second suspect, identified as the 14-year-old teen, was located running on Station View Drive, and was taken into custody without incident. A search of the teens led to troopers discovering both of the teens were in possession of a screwdriver and a USB cable.

The teens were taken to Troop 9, where they were charged with multiple felony crimes.

The 13-year-old teen was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released into the custody of his parent.