Midnight Carjacking Chaos: Wilmington Police Nab Suspects in Bold Heist

Donald ShepherdDonald Shepherd /Submitted Image

WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington authorities have taken two individuals into custody following an investigation into an alleged armed carjacking that occurred in mid-September. The incident took place in the early hours of September 18, when officers from the Uniformed Services Division responded to reports of a carjacking at Lovering Avenue and North Van Buren Street. Shortly thereafter, police located the stolen vehicle near West 6th and North Union Streets, prompting a pursuit. The vehicle was later found abandoned on the 2700 block of West 5th Street.

Detective Thomas Rittenhouse of the Criminal Investigations Division led the investigation that eventually identified Donald Shepherd, aged 18, and a 17-year-old male juvenile as suspects. Shepherd was apprehended on October 9 in the 300 block of North Rodney Street, while the juvenile was taken into custody on November 6 during an unrelated incident.

Authorities have charged Shepherd with several offenses, including First Degree Robbery, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, among others. He was arraigned in the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and subsequently committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution with bail set at $74,000 cash-only.

Similarly, the 17-year-old juvenile faces charges that include First Degree Robbery, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and multiple counts of Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the New Castle County Juvenile Detention Center, with bail set at $77,500 cash-only.

Officials emphasize that all charges are allegations at this stage, and both individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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