Newark Police Arrest Wilmington Woman / Fugitive in Stolen Vehicle

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p.m., officers assigned to the Newark Police Department Street Crimes Unit were conducting proactive patrols in the area of South College Avenue. Officers observed a vehicle traveling quickly through a business parking lot in the 1100 block of South College Avenue and then onto the roadway of South College Avenue and Welsh Tract Road.

A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed no record on file. Officers subsequently conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, later identified as Raneesha Matthews, 22, of Wilmington, Delaware.

During the investigation, officers determined the vehicle had been reported stolen in New Castle County. Further investigation revealed that Matthews had multiple active warrants and capiases from several jurisdictions.

Matthews was charged by the Newark Police Department with the following:

• Receiving Stolen Property (Value Greater Than $1,500)
• Multiple traffic offenses

Matthews also had outstanding charges from other jurisdictions, including one warrant from the Capitol Police, two warrants from the Wilmington Police Department, and multiple capiases.

Matthews was transported to Justice of the Peace Court #11 for arraignment, where she was issued $5,000 cash bail and an additional $5,050 secured bail. She was subsequently transported to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, where she was committed.

Raneesha Matthews