Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

State Police Apprehend Four Teenagers Following Multi-Jurisdiction Pursuit

Date Posted: Sunday, April 14th, 2024

Delaware State Police arrested four teenagers after a high-speed pursuit through multiple jurisdictions in Sussex County Saturday evening.

On April 13, 2024, at approximately 7:21 p.m., a silver Honda CRV with temporary Delaware registration fled from a traffic stop initiated by Bethany Beach Police Department. Troopers spotted the same vehicle speeding northbound on Coastal Highway near Fred Hudson Road moments later. Despite attempts to pursue the car, troopers discontinued the chase due to safety concerns arising from the excessive speed. The vehicle, which was later discovered to be reported stolen within the Dover Police Department’s jurisdiction, proceeded through Dewey Beach before turning eastbound onto Silver Lake Drive towards Rehoboth Beach.

Assistance from the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit enabled continuous monitoring of the vehicle from the sky until it eventually crashed near Olive Avenue and the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. Subsequently, all four suspects were observed fleeing the scene on foot. Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department, apprehended the suspects a short time later near the Henlopen Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.

Further investigation revealed a firearm within easy reach of where the suspects had been seated inside the vehicle. No citizens were injured during this incident. All suspects, confirmed to be teenagers, were taken into custody and transported to Troop 7, where they were charged with multiple crimes:

A 15-year-old was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $12,500 secured bond.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon Persons Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon with a Removed, Altered or Obliterated Serial Number (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Under 18 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest

This suspect was identified as the driver and subsequently charged with multiple traffic violations by additional local law enforcement agencies.

A 17-year-old was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $17,000 secured bond.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon Persons Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon with a Removed, Altered or Obliterated Serial Number (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Under 18 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest

Another 15-year-old was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $17,000 secured bond.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon Persons Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon with a Removed, Altered or Obliterated Serial Number (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Under 18 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest

A 14-year-old was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $17,000 secured bond.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon Persons Under 18 (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon with a Removed, Altered or Obliterated Serial Number (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Under 18 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Resisting Arrest