BEAR, DE — A 15-year-old Newark boy is facing multiple felony charges after New Castle County police said an attempted vehicle theft investigation led detectives to connect him to another attempted theft and an earlier stolen-vehicle case.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 1:40 a.m. Sept. 14 to the 800 block of Sabina Circle in the Pine Woods Townhouses community for a reported attempted vehicle theft in progress, according to police.
Police said responding officers obtained a description of the person involved, and an officer located a 15-year-old matching that description shortly after arriving. The juvenile was taken into custody without incident, according to police.
Investigators subsequently determined that the teenager had allegedly attempted to steal a second vehicle in the 800 block of Sabina Circle, police said.
Further investigation linked the juvenile to an Aug. 3 vehicle theft from the 300 block of Scotland Drive in the Aspen Run Apartments community, according to police. Investigators said that vehicle was stolen overnight and recovered the following morning in the 900 block of Thornhill Drive with damage.
Police charged the 15-year-old with three felony counts of third-degree burglary, two felony counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle, one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle, one felony count of breach of conditions of bond, one felony count of criminal mischief over $5,000, and one felony count of second-degree conspiracy.
He also faces two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief under $1,000, and one misdemeanor count each of theft under $1,500 and breach of release, according to police.
The juvenile was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to a juvenile detention center after failing to post $12,100 secured bail.
Investigators said they believe the teenager may be connected to additional vehicle thefts in the area and that additional charges could follow.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact New Castle County police at 302-573-2800.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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