Chase involving two stolen vehicles across Delaware leads to three arrests
DOVER, Del. – A chase involving two stolen vehicles led to charges for three people early Friday morning.
At around 5 a.m., a Delaware State Police trooper on patrol reportedly saw a blue Hyundai Sonata following a blue Hyundai Santa Fe at a close distance on Bay Road, near President Drive, in Dover. A computer check revealed that the Santa Fe had been reported stolen on June 18th, and the Sonata had been reported stolen earlier that morning, both to the Baltimore County Police Department.
Additional troopers were called to respond and attempt to initiate a traffic stop, but both vehicles fled at high speeds, leading to two separate chases. Police say the Santa Fe drove recklessly through Kent and Sussex Counties at a high rate of speed. At one point, the driver reportedly slammed on the brakes, causing the trooper to crash into the back of the vehicle. The chase ended when the Santa Fe allegedly lost control and crashed into a wooded area near South Old State Road and Dupont Boulevard in Georgetown. The driver, 20-year-old Kyle Norman, was seriously injured and flown to a hospital. There were three passengers in the car, identified as 20-year-old Hailey Warren, a 13-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old girl, who all sustained minor injuries. The trooper also suffered a serious injury and was taken to a nearby hospital. During a search of the car, troopers reportedly found a screwdriver under the driver’s seat, commonly used in vehicle thefts.
At the same time, troopers were involved in a separate chase with the Sonata, which was also driving recklessly through Kent and Sussex Counties. Troopers deployed stock sticks on Route 1, north of Cave Neck Road in Milton, before losing sight of the vehicle. A short time later, troopers were called to Oyster Rock Road for a report of three suspicious individuals on bicycles knocking on doors, claiming their vehicle was disabled. Troopers found 32-year-old Jonathan Bennett, a 13-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy in the area. Bennett was also found in possession of a screwdriver.
Troopers reportedly found the stolen Sonata abandoned in the parking lot of Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park in Lewes. The ignition column was damaged in a manner consisten with recent vehicle theft trends involving the use of screw drivers. Further investigation led police to identify the 10-year-old boy as the driver of the Sonata during the chase, with Bennett in the front passenger seat and the 13-year-old girl 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.
The children were turned over to their respective guardians.
Bennett was charged with receiving stolen property over $1500, second degree conspiracy, possession of burglar tools, two counts of second degree reckless endangering, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was held at SCI on an $11,000 secured bond.
Warren was charged with receiving stolen property over $1500 and second degree conspiracy and held at SCI on a $4,000 secured bond.
Norman remains hospitalized, but on release he will be charged with first degree assault: cause serious injury to law enforcement officer, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, four counts of first degree reckless endangering, possession of burglar tools, receiving stolen property over $1500, disregarding a police officer signal, second degree conspiracy, criminal mischief over $1000, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, aggressive driving, and several additional traffic violation.
