Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Troopers Arrest Teen Found in Stolen Durango for Multiple Felony Gun Charges

Date Posted: Friday, April 5th, 2024

Image of 17-year-old suspect from Trooper 4's IR footage.

Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old male of Middletown, Delaware, for multiple felony gun charges following a foot pursuit after he was found in a stolen Dodge Durango yesterday morning in Middletown.

On April 4, 2024, at approximately 9:49 a.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 2398 Dupont Parkway, Middletown, for a report of a stolen 2023 black Dodge Durango with Florida registration in the parking lot. Upon arriving, troopers located the Durango in the parking lot, and observed two unknown black male suspects exit the stolen SUV and flee on foot. The driver fled through a field towards the back of the Wawa and the passenger attempted to return to the stolen SUV before he ran west across US Route 13 northbound towards a wood line. Delaware State Police Aviation Trooper 4 conducted a search of the area for the suspects, and successfully located the passenger (pictured above) hiding near a wood line in a backyard on Jane Court. As ground troopers approached, the suspect jumped over a fence into another backyard, where he was ultimately taken into custody after a brief pursuit. The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male.

The driver of the stolen SUV was last seen jumping over a barbed wire fence. He has not been identified and remains at large. He is described as a black male wearing all black. The suspect is possibly armed. During the foot pursuit with the driver, a trooper sustained a serious injury to his upper extremity. The trooper was taken to area hospital, where he was treated and released.

A computer inquiry of the Durango’s registration confirmed it was reported as stolen within the jurisdiction of West Manchester Township Police Department (Pennsylvania). A search of the Durango led to the discovery of a Polymer 80 ghost gun loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition, an extended magazine containing an additional 18 rounds of ammunition, 19 Oxycodone pills, and approximately 2.57 grams of marijuana.

The 17-year-old suspect was taken to Troop 9, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on a $28,100 secured bond.

Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited who also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by Person Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
Possession of Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Value Over $1,500 (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^ndDegree (Felony)
Possession of Marijuana by Person Under 18
Resisting Arrest

Troopers continue to investigate this incident and are asking for anyone with information regarding this case or the unknown suspect to contact Corporal C. Drake by calling (302) 464-3371. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.