Dover – The Delaware State Police are investigating a carjacking that took place this morning in Dover, according to authorities.
Officials said the preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred early this morning at around 2:52 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017, when a passerby contacted a trooper who was working a traffic assignment at the entrance of Lot 18 to the Firefly Festival north of Persimmon Tree Lane.
As the passerby reported a pedestrian had run into the side of a bus, the trooper turned around and observed a white Ford Transit Van traveling south down the gravel road entrance to Lot 18, according to a statement released by Delaware State Police. The van swerved in an east direction and crashed into a fence and then into brush before coming to a stop. Troopers quickly responded to the crash and contacted the occupants of the van to check on them. It was at this time the individuals inside the van advised the driver had stolen the van, according to authorities. As troopers attempted to take the driver into custody he resisted arrest, punched at the troopers and head butted the side of a marked patrol vehicle, causing damage to the vehicle, according to the statement.
Authorities said the investigation revealed, the driver later identified as Zachary O. Hamilton, 25 of Dickerson, Maryland, punched the female driver of the van after she exited the driver’s seat and then stole the van while six employees of RMC Events were still seated inside the vehicle. The employees in the vehicle attempted to stop Hamilton but were unable and sustained minor injuries.
Hamilton was transported to the Bayhealth Medical Center at Kent General Hospital where it was determined he was under the influence of drugs, according to the statement. An arrest warrant for Hamilton was obtained from Justice of the Peace Court 7 charging him with the following: Carjacking First Degree, Attempt to Commit Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest With Force, Criminal Mischief over $5000, six counts of Reckless Endangering Second Degree, Assault Third Degree, Criminal Mischief over $1000 and Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs
Image Credits: Delaware State Police