Two Wilmington men are in custody following a violent home invasion and pursuit that unfolded Tuesday afternoon in Kent County. A third suspect remains at large as investigators continue to piece together the incident.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on November 11, Delaware State Police were called to the 100 block of East Chimney Top Lane in Felton for reports of a home invasion. Detectives determined that 19-year-old Dylan Charles and 22-year-old Quincey Thomas entered the home after being recognized by a woman who knew them as friends of a 17-year-old resident police said. Once inside, the pair allegedly confronted the teen, demanded cash, and threatened him with a handgun.
According to investigators, the woman who answered the door armed herself with a rifle after hearing the confrontation. Police say Charles and Thomas overpowered her, seized the rifle, and turned it on her while demanding more money. Two children inside the home witnessed the attack; one hid in a bedroom while the other ran to a nearby house for help. The teen and both children were unharmed, while the woman sustained a minor injury.
Troopers quickly located the suspects’ white Infiniti QX5 traveling along State Route 12. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver—identified as Thomas—fled, leading police on a high-speed pursuit across Kent County. Troopers reported that firearms were thrown from the vehicle during the chase, later recovered along State Route 1. The pursuit ended after stop sticks were deployed, disabling the SUV near Little Creek Road, where it struck the median and a guardrail.
All three suspects fled on foot. Charles and Thomas were captured nearby, but a third unidentified male escaped and remains sought by authorities. During the search of the SUV, troopers recovered the stolen rifle, a handgun with its serial number removed, and approximately 1,595.9 grams of marijuana.
Charles was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a violent felony, first-degree home invasion burglary, possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, Tier 2 drug possession, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and resisting arrest. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $150,000 cash bond.
Thomas faces the same robbery, firearm, burglary, and drug charges, along with additional counts for disregarding a police officer’s signal, criminal mischief, and multiple traffic violations related to the pursuit. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $145,746 cash bond.
Detectives continue to investigate and are working to identify the third suspect involved in the robbery and chase.