Second suspect arrested in Dewey Beach motorcycle chase
Hengel (left) and Weaver
DEWEY BEACH, Del. – Dewey Beach Police have arrested a second suspect in connection to last week’s high speed chase.
At around 12:40 p.m. on February 4th, Dewey Beach Police were alerted to a reported reckless driver operating a white motorcycle. It was reported that the suspect displayed a handgun to a motorist in a green truck while traveling south of Dewey Beach in the Delaware Seashore State Park.
Officers located two motorcycles and tried to initiate a traffic stop, however both fled northbound on Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed. Officers continued chasing the motorcycles across the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Bridge and into the area of the Rehoboth Outlets, where both motorcyclists allegedly continued driving recklessly while committing multiple traffic violations.
At Coastal Highway and Sea Air Drive, police say one of the motorcycles, which reportedly had fake Pennsylvania registration plates, tried to make a U-turn, at which time officers were able to divert it onto Sea Air Drive. The driver, identified as 20-year-old Thai Hengel, was stopped and taken into custody. Hengel was charged with multiple charges, including disregarding a police officer’s signal, aggressive driving, reckless driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, and numerous traffic violations. He was later released on his own recognizance.
The second motorcyclist continued fleeing and was unidentified at the time of Hengel’s arrest. On Tuesday, officers executed a search warrant in the Hunters Mill Development in Milton, at which time they identified the second motorcyclist as 19-year-old Justin Weaver. Weaver was arrested and charged with conspiracy, disregarding a police officer’s signal, unlawful dealing with a switchblade knife, reckless and aggressive driving, and numerous motor vehicle violations. His motorcycle was also located at the residence and seized.
In addition, police obtained arrest warrants for Hengel for hindering prosecution and providing a false statement to law enforcement.
Dewey Beach Police are asking anyone with information on Hengel’s whereabouts to call 302-227-1110.
