NEWARK, DE — An 18-year-old woman has been taken into custody by the New Castle County Division of Police after being linked to a series of alleged vehicle thefts and related offenses over a two-day period.
The series of events began on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at approximately 7 a.m., when an officer observed a Hyundai Sonata traveling the wrong direction on West 28th Street in Wilmington. A check of the car’s registration revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Fox Run Apartments in Bear.
The officer initiated a traffic stop, which prompted the driver, later identified as Aaliyah Kellum of Newark, to comply momentarily before exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Responding officers pursued and apprehended Kellum nearby in a yard on West Matson Parkway.
Subsequent investigations by officers and detectives connected Kellum to several attempted vehicle thefts over a two-day period. These incidents reportedly occurred at multiple locations, including The Colony Apartments in Wilmington, Allandale Apartments in Newark, Coachman’s Manor Apartments in New Castle, and Fox Run Townhouses in Bear. Vehicles targeted during this alleged spree included various models of Kia cars, such as Sportage, Seltos, Optima, and Rio.
Following her arrest, law enforcement officials confirmed multiple charges against Kellum, including but not limited to conspiracy, attempted vehicle theft, and possession of burglary tools. The full list of charges includes the following:
- Six felony counts of conspiracy in the second degree
- Five felony counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle
- One felony count of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony
- One felony count of possession of burglary tools
- One felony count of theft of a motor vehicle
- One felony count of criminal mischief exceeding $5,000
- One felony count of carrying a concealed deadly weapon
- Five misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief under $1,000
- One misdemeanor count of resisting arrest
- Four violations of third-degree criminal trespassing
Kellum was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and subsequently committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution. Bail for the charges has been set at $92,505, which must be paid in cash.
Authorities have emphasized that all charges against Kellum remain allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Investigators continue their work to determine the full scope of the alleged offenses and any additional connections to vehicle thefts in the region.
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