NEW CASTLE, DE — A 19-year-old man is facing a slew of charges following a high-speed pursuit and his eventual arrest in Wilmington on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Authorities say the incident began at approximately 5:22 p.m., when a detective with the New Castle County Division of Police Mobile Enforcement Team observed a silver Kia Optima near Bacon Avenue and Route 13 with an invalid registration tag.
The detective attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as Antoine Crawley, fled at a dangerously high speed. Law enforcement immediately enlisted the assistance of Delaware State Police Aviation Unit Trooper 4, which was patrolling the area and quickly located the fleeing vehicle.
The pursuit led officers to the 1000 block of River Road in Wilmington, where Crawley abandoned the stolen Kia Optima and fled on foot. Responding officers set up a perimeter and, during their search, found Crawley hiding under a trampoline in the backyard of a nearby home. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The Kia Optima was later confirmed to have been reported stolen from Wilmington on April 28, 2025. Additional investigation uncovered that Crawley was also wanted in connection with a separate vehicle theft incident earlier in April.
Crawley was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with a total of 20 offenses, including multiple felonies. The charges are listed as follows:
- Two felony counts of receiving stolen property over $1,500
- Two felony counts of disregarding a police officer’s signal
- Two felony counts of possession of burglary tools, including one for disabling security systems
- One felony count of theft of a motor vehicle
- Two misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest
- Two misdemeanor counts of driving without a valid license
- One misdemeanor count of reckless driving at speeds exceeding 90 mph
- One misdemeanor count of theft under $1,500
- Numerous traffic and vehicle violations, including failure to stop at red lights and improper lane changes
Following his arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court 11, Crawley was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution with bail set at $19,500 cash.
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation into Crawley’s activities, including the circumstances surrounding the vehicle thefts.
All suspects, including Crawley, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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