Dover Police searching for vehicle theft suspect who fled traffic stop

Dover Police are searching for a man who they say fled from police during a traffic stop on Friday night in a stolen vehicle.

Police say that shortly after 11:20 PM, Christopher Sudler, 24, of Dover, was stopped in in the area of Loockerman Street and South New Street for a registration violation on the GMC Yukon he was driving.

Upon contact with the officer, Sudler reportedly gave a false name and claimed he did not have an ID. Police say after the officer ran a computer check on the name and was returning to the Yukon, Sudler sped off. Police did not pursue Sudler at the time due to safety concerns related to a vehicle chase, officials said.

Several minutes later, Dover Police received a report from the owner of the involved GMC Yukon that the vehicle had been stolen. Police later found the Yukon abandoned on Silver Lake Boulevard after it appeared to have struck a curb.

Officials say Sudler is wanted on charges of motor vehicle theft, disregarding a police officer's signal, criminal impersonation and multiple traffic offenses. Anyone with information on Sudler's whereabouts is encouraged to call Dover Police at 302-736-7130.