Delaware State Police release details of a week and a half long violent crime spree that left several victims injured, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said Delaware State Police arrested multiple juveniles on felony criminal charges after troopers, and other Delaware police agencies have been investigating several carjacking incidents over the past week and a half.
On April 8, 2021, a 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female stole the car keys to a female customers’ vehicle at Wawa located at East Chestnut Hill Road in Newark. The victim was assaulted at the front of the business. Once the suspects entered the stolen vehicle, they steered in the direction of the victim and struck her with the car, causing an injury to a lower extremity., said Pepper.
On April 9, 2021, two 16-year-old males stole the car keys to a female customer’s black Dodge Challenger at Exxon located at 3700 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont. The victim chased the suspects who fled in other stolen vehicles parked in the Exxon parking lot. The suspects returned to the location, assaulted the victim, and stole the Challenger.
On April 13, 2021, two 16-year-old males attempted to steal merchandise from Wawa located at 3601 Wrangle Hill Road, Bear. When confronted by the store clerk, the suspects physically assaulted him.
Over the course of the week, multiple police agencies worked together to investigate similar cases occurring in their jurisdictions. Through the collaborative efforts, the agencies discovered a large number of vehicle thefts and residential burglaries had occurred throughout New Castle County. Investigative leads were formed, and officers obtained information on the identity of suspects, and four stolen vehicles were recovered.
On April 16, 2021, troopers observed the stolen Dodge Challenger from the Philadelphia Pike carjacking, and a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. At the time of the traffic stop, seven juveniles were apprehended.
The juveniles were taken into custody and transported to Troop 2 where they were processed and arraigned. The following juveniles were charged with crimes related to the Delaware State Police cases:
16-year-old male of New Castle
2 counts- Robbery 2nd Degree (Felony)
Attempted Robbery 2nd Degree (Felony)
2 counts- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
3 counts- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
Multiple Traffic Violations
The 16-year-old male was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $102,550.00 cash bond.
16-year-old male of Wilmington
2 counts- Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
Resisting Arrest With Force (Felony)
2 counts- Breach of Release
Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
2 counts- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
2 counts- Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony)
The 16-year-old male was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $68,500.00 cash bond.
15-year-old male of Wilmington
2 counts- Breach of Release
The 15-year-old male was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $1,000.00 secured bond.
15-year-old female of Wilmington
Robbery 2nd Degree (Felony)
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
The 15-year-old female was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued a $3,000.00 secured bond.
15-year-old female of Wilmington
No charges from Delaware State Police
14-year-old female of Wilmington
No New Charges – Released
14-year-old female of Wilmington
No New Charges- Released