Millsboro- Delaware State Police arrested 42-year-old Shonta D. Blake of Selbyville on criminal and traffic charges following a pursuit Thursday, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said on December 18, 2020, at approximately 12:24 a.m., a trooper patrolling northbound on DuPont Highway in a fully marked patrol vehicle observed a gray Toyota Corolla traveling northbound directly in the same area.
A computer search completed by the trooper determined the driver, later identified as Shonta Blake, had a revoked driver’s license and an active capias out of Sussex County Family Court. The trooper initiated a car stop, but the vehicle failed to stop and continued traveling on DuPont Boulevard before turning left onto Houston Avenue and then back onto DuPont Boulevard southbound.
Once turning onto Laurel Road, the Corolla committed several traffic violations before turning left into the Wawa parking lot in Millsboro and stopping abruptly. A female front seat passenger exited the vehicle before the vehicle recklessly left the parking lot.
The vehicle continued traveling on multiple back roads in the surrounding area at a high rate of speed while committing numerous traffic violations. As Blake turned from Frankford Avenue onto Mill Street, he jumped from the moving vehicle and fled on foot. The Corolla continued traveling until it collided with a parked car and fence. After a brief foot pursuit, Blake was apprehended, and a strong odor of marijuana was detected emitting from Blake’s clothing, said Pepper. Troopers found drug paraphernalia and approximately 14.21 grams of marijuana after a search, according to Pepper.
Blake was taken into custody and transported to Troop 4 where he was charged with the following crimes:
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Resisting Arrest
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Collision
Driving While Suspended
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Failure to Have Insurance Identification
Failure to Have Registration Card in Possession
Possession of Marijuana (Civil Violation)
Driving at Unreasonable Speed (5 violations)
Failed to Remain in Single Lane (5 violations)
Failure to Signal
Failure to Stop at Stop Sign (9 violations)
Blake was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $4,530.00 unsecured bond for the new charges. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on his active capiases.