Hockessin – Yesterday (Apr 27), at approximately 3: 45 a.m., patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to Letitia Drive in the community of Stenning Woods for the report of a suspicious person.
When the officers arrived, they observed multiple vehicles had been entered and miscellaneous items were stolen.
As the officers were searching the area a silver PT Cruiser was observed attempting to leave the area. An officer on foot attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped up and the officer had to jump out of the way to avoid injury.
As the officers searched for the PT Cruiser they observed fresh tire marks going through a grassy area between two houses. They followed the tracks and found the PT Cruiser abandoned in the treeline by a retention pond.
Officials said officers then stopped 21-year-old Jason Haith of Dover, DE walking through the neighborhood wearing a dark hooded jacket and dark pants. He was taken into custody and identified as being inside of the PT Cruiser.
Officers obtained surveillance video that showed Haith and a second male entering unlocked vehicles on Letitia Drive, according to police. The second male was wearing a blue hooded jacket and dark-colored pants.
A short time later officers stopped 29-year-old Kyree Custis of Smyrna attempting to cross Limestone Road on foot. Custis was observed wearing a blue hooded jacket and dark-colored pants. Custis was also taken into custody and subsequently identified as the driver of the PT Cruiser, officials said.
Search warrants were executed on the vehicle and stolen items recovered.
Jason Haith was charged with five counts of felony Burglary 3rd, four counts of misdemeanor Theft, one count of felony Conspiracy 2nd, and one count misdemeanor Fail to Obey an Emergency Order (ref Covid-19 stay at home). Haith was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $16,500 unsecured bail.
Kyree Custis was charged with one count of felony Reckless Endangering, one count of felony Disregard a Police Officer Signal, one count of felony Conspiracy 2nd, one count of misdemeanor Criminal Impersonation, four counts of felony Burglary 3rd, four counts of misdemeanor theft and one count of misdemeanor Fail to Obey an Emergency Order (ref Covid-19 stay at home). Custis was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $20,800 cash bail.
All the stolen property has been released to the victims except for the watch in the photo below.
If you can identify the watch in the picture or have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Officer Yost at (302)395-8171 or [email protected] or call the New Castle County Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.