Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Maryland Man Following Carjacking Incident in Middletown

Date Posted: Saturday, December 13th, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested 51-year-old David Thornton of Essex, Maryland, following a carjacking incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in Middletown.

On December 12, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., a Texas man was traveling north on State Route 301 near Summit Bridge Road, in a white Chevrolet Silverado, when he saw two vehicles that had been involved in a crash. The man stopped to help and spoke to the driver of a Mercedes involved in the crash, later identified as David Thornton. While the victim was calling 9-1-1, he saw Thronton get into the driver’s seat of his Silverado. When the victim opened the back door of the Silverado, Thornton began reaching for something, told the victim to get out, and sped away.

The Silverado was tracked electronically and was located a short time later on the ramp from northbound I-95 to Airport Road after it struck a guard rail. When troopers arrived, Thornton was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the Silverado, troopers found a revolver style CO2 BB gun.

Thornton was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries from the crashes. After he was released, he was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $20,000 cash bond.