On December 19, 2019, at about 4:23 in the morning, Newark Police received a report of a theft from a vehicle that had just occurred in the 900 block of Rahway Drive in Newark.
Responding officers canvassed the area and located a male loitering by a vehicle in a driveway in the 900 block of Kenilworth Avenue. Officers attempted to make contact with the male and he fled on foot through backyards on Kenilworth Avenue. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit with the male and took him into custody. During a search incident to the arrest, heroin and drug paraphernalia were found in the suspect’s possession. In addition, a hammer used to break vehicle windows was also found in his possession, according to police.
Officers then checked the surrounding streets and located six vehicles that had been entered and had items removed. These vehicles were located on Amherst Drive, Rahway Drive, Kenilworth Avenue, High Pond Drive, and Woodsman Drive. All of the vehicles had been left unlocked at the time of the thefts.
The investigation is ongoing as to whether this suspect is linked to recent thefts from other vehicles in Newark.
The suspect was identified as Bradley Hooks, 28, of Newark. Hooks was transported to Newark Police Headquarters where he was charged with the following offenses:
Burglary Third Degree (6 counts)
Theft Under $1500 (6 counts)
Possession of Burglar’s Tools
Trespass Third Degree (3 counts)
Possession of Heroin
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Hooks appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $17,902 secured bail. He was turned over to the custody of the Howard R Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.
As a result of this incident, assorted personal property was recovered and returned where the owner could be identified. However, owners were not identified for some property, including jewelry. Anyone who believes that their stolen property may have been recovered by Newark Police is asked to email PFC C. McKennon at cmckennon@newark.de.us.