13-Year-Old Arrested at Delaware Seashore State Park for Stealing Vehicle

Photo courtesy of Delaware Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Delaware Natural Resources Police arrested a 13-year-old in connection with a stolen vehicle and foot pursuit through Delaware Seashore State Park.

In the early hours of Monday, Jul. 6, around 1:45 a.m., State Park officers were notified of a vehicle pursuit traveling northbound on Coastal Highway from Fenwick Island. During the multi-agency pursuit, authorities say the vehicle traveled through several jurisdictions, including Delaware Seashore State Park, at a high rate of speed while crossing recklessly into oncoming traffic lanes. Authorities ultimately stopped the vehicle after deploying stop-sticks. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot from officers.

Officers later identified the driver as a 13-year-old who was camping with his family at the State Park. Both the owner of the stolen vehicle and the family of the suspected teen driver were unaware of the incident. Later the same morning, around 5:40 a.m., the teen’s father turned him over to officers where he was taken into custody without further incident.

The 13-year-old was taken to the Fenwick Island Police Department where he was charged with attempting to commit third degree vehicular assault through negligent operation, felony theft of a motor vehicle, disregarding a police officer signal, and related traffic charges. He was arraigned and committed to the Stevenson House Youth Detention Facility on $4,800 secured bail.