A 14-year-old teenager has been apprehended by the police in Claymont, Delaware, in connection with an attempted vehicle theft that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident took place at an apartment complex located on the 300 block of Harbor Drive.
According to authorities, the teenager, along with another suspect, allegedly attempted to break into multiple vehicles within the apartment complex. At approximately 3:30 a.m., they successfully stole a Hyundai from the parking lot.
Law enforcement officers swiftly initiated a pursuit of the stolen vehicle. As the suspects attempted to flee, they neglected to put the car into park, resulting in a failed escape. While the driver managed to evade capture, the 14-year-old suspect was struck by the moving vehicle and subsequently taken into custody.
During the subsequent investigation, police discovered several items in the possession of the suspect, including latex gloves, a mask, screwdrivers, and a USB cord commonly used for breaking into specific Kia and Hyundai models.
In light of recent incidents involving car thefts in the Philadelphia region, allegedly fueled by a TikTok challenge, Councilmember Kendra Brooks and seven other city leaders have called for a recall of Kia and Hyundai vehicles due to concerns over public safety.
The 14-year-old suspect has been charged with multiple offenses, including one felony count of possession of burglar tools, one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle, and one felony count of disregarding a police officer’s signal. Following his arraignment at New Castle County Family Court, he is being held on $7,000 secured bail.
