WILMINGTON, DE — Four teenagers from New Castle County have been charged following an alleged vehicle theft, according to local law enforcement. On the morning of December 24, 2023, patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to a reported vehicle theft at Coleman Methodist Church – Dunleith.
The stolen vehicle, described as a turquoise Ford Flex, was reportedly taken by multiple suspects. Within an hour of the initial report, officers located the vehicle leaving the vicinity of the Christiana Mall. An attempted vehicle stop was initiated near 141 and Commons Boulevard; this resulted in five suspects abandoning the vehicle and attempting to escape on foot.
Four out of the five suspects were apprehended after a series of foot pursuits, aided by the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit. The suspects include a 14-year-old male from Wilmington and three 16-year-old males from New Castle.
The four teens face charges that include one felony count each of receiving stolen property and conspiracy in the second degree, along with one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. Receiving stolen property is a charge typically levied when someone knowingly obtains or disposes of unlawfully obtained property. Conspiracy in the second degree involves an agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime, while resisting arrest is charged when someone intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent a peace officer from effecting an arrest.
After arraignment by the New Castle County Family Court, the four suspects were released.
It’s important to underscore that these criminal charges are mere allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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