Dover Police have made arrest in the eight auto thefts from a Milford dealership, officials said Wednesday.
Authorities said at approximately 2:54 PM on August 13th, officers located a 2019 black Dodge Charger with three occupants in the downtown area. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of North New Street, however, the vehicle fled northbound.
The vehicle stopped in the area of Lakewood Place and Ross Street and all three occupants fled from the vehicle. All three suspects were apprehended by Dover officers a short time later, officials said. The vehicle struck a tree in the area due to the suspects leaving the car in gear when they fled.
Throughout the afternoon and evening of August 13th, officers located six additional vehicles of the eight that had been stolen. Each of those six were located throughout the greater Dover area and were found unoccupied.
At approximately 8:30 PM on August 13th, officers observed the stolen gray Dodge Durango in the Camden area and attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Upper King Road at Walnut Shade Road. That vehicle also fled from officers northbound into the Town of Camden, where it continued northbound on Old Camden Road. Once the vehicle reached the end of Old Camden Road, it crossed all lanes of S. DuPont Highway and the suspects fled from the vehicle in the area of Asbury Avenue (next to Auto Zone). None of the suspects in that vehicle were captured at the time, but investigating officers are pursuing valuable leads in that case.
The following three arrests were made as a result of the first vehicle pursuit.
Darius Payne-Bennett (20) was released on an O.R. Bond on the following offenses:
-Disregard Police Signal
-Receiving Stolen Property (4x)
-Reckless Endangering (2x)
-Resisting Arrest
-Conspiracy 3rd Degree
-Multiple Traffic Offenses
-Disorderly Conduct
-Capias
A 16-year-old male was released on unsecured bond on the following offenses:
-Resisting Arrest
-Conspiracy 3rd Degree
-Disorderly Conduct
-Capias
A 16-year-old male was released on unsecured bond for having a capias but faced no new charges.
Original Report
Yesterday morning, August 13, 2019, at around 7:40, the Milford Police Department was called to investigate a burglary at IG Burton Dealership located on N. Rehoboth Blvd in Milford.
Officials said the investigation revealed that eight new vehicles were stolen from the dealership. The vehicles included 5-2019 Police Model Dodge Chargers with no emergency equipment, 2- 2019 Dodge Durangos and a Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab. The investigation quickly developed suspect leads.
Those leads lead detectives to the Dover area. The Milford Police enlisted the assistance of Dover Police and the Delaware State Police as the investigation developed.
By 9:30 pm on August 13th, the Dover Police Department had recovered all eight vehicles which were hidden throughout Dover city and the surrounding area. All eight vehicles are currently secured in various police impounds.
Authorities said there are no public safety concerns as all vehicles were recovered by police.
Several juveniles and young adults were identified as suspects in this case. While all the vehicles have been recovered this is an open and active investigation, officials said.
First State Update is working to determine what agency placed the order for the police vehicles.
This is a Developing Story
