Police stopped three teens walking down the middle of the road near New Castle – near two Kias with smashed windows – only to discover the group may be linked to four other attempted vehicle thefts in the area.
About 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 20, New Castle County Police said officers were conducting “property checks” near New Castle and Ryan avenues when patrol officers said they noticed two cars with “broken windows and damaged steering columns,” according to a release from the department. The officers kept looking around the area.
Soon, they came upon three young men walking in the middle of the road.
Officers stopped the 17-year-old, 18-year-old and 19-year-old, each from Wilmington. While identifying them, officers say they also discovered each had “active no contact orders” with each other from a previous arrest, with other outstanding warrants. They were taken into custody without incident, police said.
But back at headquaters, police learned more.
“Officers conducted interviews, reviewed surveillance footage and were able to link the group to four separate attempted vehicle thefts in the area,” Sgt. Michael McNasby wrote in a press release on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Charges were as follows:
Police said any tips or information can be called in to New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800, or sent in online.
This isn’t the first time car vandalism has been in the news this week.
On Oct. 20, New Castle County Police also warned of “multiple reports” of tire slashings in and around North Wilmington. Police are looking into the concern after being dispatched in the late night and early morning hours in Wynnwood and Brandywood communities that day.
There were 30 different reports, according to police.
Police told residents to check vehicles for any signs of tampering or damage, as well as home or business surveillance footage for anything suspicious.
But what should you do if you discover car vandalism? At a glance:

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