Last Weeks Car Chase, Yesterday’s SWAT Team Takedown Explained

Delaware State Police have arrested 23-year-old Michael Showell-Potts of Newark on multiple counts of felony theft and related criminal charges after eluding police for months, according to Public Information Officer, Corporal/1 Jason Hatchell.

Hatchell said a collaborative effort by troopers from Troop 2 and Troop 6 patrol, Troop 2 Drug Unit, and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), led to the successful apprehension of Michael Showell-Potts who was taken into custody on February 03, 2021. Showell-Potts had active warrants for felony Theft and other criminal charges related to 22 separate incidents beginning on November 27, 2020, up until January 23, 2021. In addition, Showell-Potts was wanted for numerous traffic-related charges stemming from a vehicle pursuit on January 27, 2021.

During the months of December 2020 and January 2021, Showell-Potts targeted numerous businesses in the Newark area and stole Newport cigarettes, according to Hatchell. Through investigative measures, Showell-Potts was identified as the suspect. On January 27, 2021, troopers located the suspect operating the same vehicle used to flee the scene in the prior incidents. A traffic stop was initiated, but Showell-Potts failed to stop and fled from police recklessly and at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit lead Troopers from Capitol Trail, down Harmony Road to Route 273 and then onto Route 7 where the driver repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, according to radio traffic from that day.

On February 03, 2021, a search warrant was executed at a residence located on Dumas Place in Newark. Showell-Potts was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 2 where he was charged with the following:

Theft, Organized Retail Crime Over $1,500 (Felony)- 5 counts
Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
Shoplifting Under $1500 – 6 counts
Conspiracy 3rd Degree- 2 counts
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Numerous Traffic Violations
Showell-Potts was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $21,400 secured bond.

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First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at desk@firststateupdate.com.

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