REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- Three Claymont teens are facing numerous felony charges after multiple thefts and a vehicle pursuit in Wednesday afternoon in Rehoboth Beach.
Around 3:20 p.m., Delaware State Police says troopers were called to the Under Armour on the 36000 block of Bayside Outlet Drive for a reported shoplifting. They were told the suspects fled northbound on Coastal Highway in a tan Chevrolet Cruze with Pennsylvania registration. A responding officer reportedly saw the car traveling northbound on Coastal Highway in the area of Melson Road. That trooper attempted to pull over the Chevrolet, but police say the car, instead, ran a red light and continued to flee northbound.
Police say the Chevrolet came to a stop after it drove over a median and hit another car while trying to make a right turn onto Dartmouth Drive at a high rate of speed. After the crash, police say the driver and the two passengers exited the car and began fleeing on foot while allegedly disregarding all verbal commands by troopers. The three were ultimately taken into custody.
Investigators believe the three juveniles shoplifted more than $5,000 worth of merchandise from Under Armour, Nike and The North Face located at the Tanger Bayside Outlets. According to police, a computer inquiry of the Chevrolet's tag revealed the Pennsylvania tag was not real and the car was reported stolen out of Troop 1 on October 14.
All three suspects were taken to Troop 7, where they were charged with the following crimes:
16-year-old male:
Shoplifting over $1500 (Felony)
Theft – Organized Retail Crime over $1500 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Shoplifting under $1500 – 2 counts
Resisting Arrest
Traffic Violations
The 16-year-old was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $2,880 secured bond.
15-year-old male:
Shoplifting over $1500 (Felony)
Theft – Organized Retail Crime over $1500 (Felony)
Receiving Stolen Property Over $1500 (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Shoplifting under $1500 – 2 counts
Resisting Arrest
Both 15-year-olds were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and were committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $2,300 secured bond.