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Seaford – Delaware State Police have arrested Rodney L. Dale, 43, of Seaford, after he led Troopers on a vehicle pursuit, in an attempt to avoid apprehension on domestic assault related charges, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the incident began at approximately 5:48 p.m., Saturday, March 17, 2018, when a 37-year-old Bridgeville woman responded to Delaware State Police Troop 5, to report a physical domestic, which she had just been involved in, with her boyfriend Rodney Dale.
The investigation determined that at approximately 5:30 p.m., the victim and Dale became engaged in a verbal altercation in the driveway of his residence, in the 24000 block of Dove Road Seaford. The victim entered her vehicle and started the ignition, in an attempt to leave prior to the incident escalating. Dale immediately followed her and positioned himself at her driver’s door, not allowing her to close it, according to Austin. Dale then reached in to the vehicle, turned off the ignition and removed the keys, ignoring the victim’s pleas to allow her to leave, Austin said.
The victim then began using her cell phone in an attempt to call 911, at which time Dale made threatening statements towards her, before striking her in the face with his closed fist, said Austin. Dale then placed his forearm against the victim’s throat, restricting her breathing as he took possession of her cell phone and rendered it inoperable, according to Austin.
After a brief struggle between the two, Dale threw the set of car keys at the victim, striking her in the face, added Austin. Once re-gaining possession of the keys she was able to flee to a friends residence, before responding to Troop 5 to report the incident.
Once at Troop 5 an ambulance was requested for the victim, regarding injuries sustained during the altercation. She was subsequently transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released.
Based on the victim’s statement Troopers prepared a warrant charging Dale with domestic assault related charges. Once the warrant was obtained attempts were made to locate Dale without success.
Troopers continued to search for Dale throughout the night and at approximately 1:39 a.m., on Sunday, March 18, a black, 2005 GMC Yukon, registered to Dale was located on Dove Road in Seaford. The Trooper activated the lights and siren on his fully marked patrol vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle refused to stop, with a pursuit commencing, which ultimately ended when the Yukon struck a guardrail on Concord Pond Road, which caused disabling damage, said Austin.
Once the vehicle came to a stop the operator, who was confirmed to be Dale, fled on foot. The Trooper gave chase and eventually caught up with Dale, who then stopped running. Dale failed to comply with repeated verbal commands to get on the ground and instead turned and faced the Trooper in a fighting position, according to Austin. The Trooper then deployed his Taser, effectively taking Dale to the ground, at which time was taken in to custody without further incident.
Dale was transported to Troop 5 where he was arrested on the outstanding domestic related charges which consisted of:
Unlawful Imprisonment
Assault 3rd Degree
Terroristic Threatening
Offensive Touching
Malicious Interference with Emergency Communication
Criminal Mischief
Additional warrants were prepared regarding the vehicle pursuit which included a total of 34 charges which consisted of:
5th Offense Driving Under The Influence
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal
Resisting Arrest (2 counts)
Alcohol Related Reckless Driving
29 moving traffic violations (improper turns, improper lane changes, speeding, disregard stop sign)
Dale was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #3 and then committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution, in lieu of $25,529 secured bail.
Correction: An earlier version of the story stated that Dale is facing 40 charges. The actual number of charges is 34.