New Castle – The Delaware State Police have arrested a fugitive from Springfield, Massachusetts who was wanted on multiple felony charges, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at approximately 6:43 p.m. a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu with a Pennsylvania registration was traveling south through the parking lot of the Superlodge located at 1213 West Avenue in New Castle approaching the entrance/exit.
A computer inquiry was conducted which revealed the vehicle was reported stolen from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the stolen vehicle traveled westbound on West Avenue and turned into the parking lot of the Super Fuel located at 3006 New Castle Avenue and a traffic stop was initiated.
The driver, later identified as Leigh Lavallee, 37 of Springfield, Massachusetts, was ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. It was also learned that Lavalee was at the Superlodge to purchase drugs. A front seat, adult female passenger was also in the vehicle. During the investigation, it was revealed the female passenger was from Springfield, Massachusetts and is currently a victim of a kidnapping that is being investigated by the Springfield Police Department, Bratz said. In addition, Leigh Lavalee provided a false name to troopers to avoid capture and signed documentation with a false name added Bratz.
The female passenger was turned over to her family members that traveled from Massachusettes.
Leigh Lavalee, 37 of Springfield, Massachusetts, was transported to Troop 2 and charged with the below-listed crimes. He was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $8,500.00 cash bond pending extradition back to Massachusetts.
Forgery Second Degree (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Value Over $1500 (Felony)
Criminal Impersonation Impersonates Another to Obtain Benefit or Defraud
Driving Without a Valid License