Arrests made following high-speed pursuits

Delaware State Police arrested a pair of Baltimore residents on numerous felony charges following pursuits involving two stolen vehicles June 20. A third suspect remains hospitalized as a result of injuries sustained in a vehicle crash at the end of the pursuit. He will be formally charged once he is released from the hospital.

About 5 a.m., June 20, a trooper on patrol observed a blue Hyundai Sonata following a blue Hyundai Santa Fe at a close distance as they traveled southbound on Bay Road near President Drive in Dover. Both vehicles had Maryland registration plates and continued southbound on Route 1. A computer check revealed the Santa Fe had been reported stolen June 18, and the Sonata had been reported stolen earlier that morning. Both thefts were reported to the Baltimore County Police Department.

After additional troopers responded, a traffic stop was initiated. Both vehicles fled at high speeds, resulting in two separate pursuits, one involving the Santa Fe and the other the Sonata.

The Sonata pursuit took troopers into the Milton area, where stop sticks were successfully deployed on Route 1 north of Cave Neck Road. Shortly afterward, troopers lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, troopers responded to Oyster Rocks Road for a report of three suspicious individuals on bicycles knocking on doors and claiming their vehicle was disabled. Troopers located the three individuals, identified as 32-year-old Jonathan Bennett, a 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. They were taken into custody without incident.  A screwdriver was found on Bennett during a search.

Troopers later located the stolen Sonata abandoned in the parking lot of Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park in Lewes. The ignition column was damaged in a manner consistent with recent vehicle theft trends involving the use of screwdrivers. Through investigative efforts, including a review of video surveillance, troopers identified the 10-year-old boy as the driver of the Sonata during the pursuit. Bennett was determined to be the front-seat passenger, and the 13-year-old girl was seated in the back. The 10-year-old could not be criminally charged under Delaware law due to the nature of the offenses and his age.

Bennett, the 13-year-old and the 10-year-old were all taken to Troop 7. The children were turned over to their respective guardians.

Bennett was charged with felony receiving stolen property over $1,500, felony second-degree conspiracy, felony possession of burglar tools, two counts of second-degree reckless endangering and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $11,000 secured bond.

As the pursuit of the Sonata was happening, troopers chased the Santa Fe to Georgetown. At one point during the pursuit, the driver abruptly slammed on the brakes, causing the pursuing trooper’s vehicle to crash into the rear of the Santa Fe.

The pursuit ended when the Santa Fe’s driver lost control and the vehicle crashed into a wooded area near South Old State Road and DuPont Boulevard in Georgetown.

The driver, identified as Kyle Norman, 20, was seriously injured and flown to a hospital. Three passengers, identified as 20-year-old Hailey Warren, a 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, were also taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. The trooper sustained a serious injury as a result of the crash and was taken to an area hospital.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found a screwdriver under the driver’s seat, which is consistent with tools commonly used in vehicle thefts.

Warren was charged with felony receiving stolen property over $1,500 and felony second-degree conspiracy. She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $4,000 secured bond.

Norman remains hospitalized. Once released, he will be charged with felony first-degree assault, felony possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, four counts of felony first-degree reckless endangering, felony possession of burglar tools, felony receiving stone property over $1,500, felony disregarding a police officer signal, felony second-degree conspiracy, criminal mischief over $1,000, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and aggressive driving. 

Troopers continue to investigate this incident, including where the suspects obtained the bicycles, and whether they were also stolen. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or has information regarding this case to contact Troop 7 by calling 302-644-5020. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.