Two Flee From Officers and Arrested After Attempted Theft From Vehicle
On December 4, 2019, at about 1410 hours, two Newark Police Officers were working in a plainclothes capacity when they observed a vehicle driving around the area of Library Avenue and Wyoming Road in Newark. They observed as the vehicle drove into a nearby parking lot and one of the occupants approached several vehicles in the parking lot. The vehicle was then observed driving through another nearby parking lot.
A marked Newark Police vehicle then attempted to stop this suspicious vehicle in the area of Marrows and Ogletown Roads. The vehicle fled from the marked Newark Police car. The suspect vehicle crashed a short distance away at the intersection of Library Avenue and Ogletown Road when it ran into a sign at the Newark Free Library. The suspects fled on foot and were caught by Newark Police Officers a short distance away after a brief foot chase.
The suspects were identified as Amanda Grove, 30, of Newark and Jesse Dungan, 31, of Charlestown, MD. Grove was the driver of the vehicle.
Further investigation at the scene revealed that the suspects had attempted to steal a catalytic converter from a parked vehicle. A search of the suspect vehicle yielded narcotic pills and hypodermic needles.
The suspects were transported to Newark Police headquarters where they were each charged with:
- Attempted Theft
- Criminal Mischief
- Possession of a Narcotic Schedule III Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
- Conspiracy 3rd Degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Trespass 3rd Degree
In addition, Grove was charged with Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Reckless Driving and multiple other traffic offenses.
The suspects appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video. Grove was ordered to be held in default of $3607 cash bail and Dungan was ordered to be held in default of $3000 cash bail. Grove was turned over to the custody of the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle and Dungan was turned over to the Howard R Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.
Update #1 – Arrest Made – Camera Found in Bathroom on South College Avenue
After a review of footage captured on the camera, Detectives were able to identify Desi Turner, 59, of New Castle, as the suspect who placed the camera in the bathroom. Turner was an employee of the business at the time of the incident.
On November 18, 2019, Turner was taken into custody at his residence without incident and was transported to Newark Police Headquarters where he was charged with two counts of Violation of Privacy. Turner appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was released on $3,000 unsecured bail.
At this time, two victims have been identified from the video footage. At this early stage of the investigation, only footage from November 11th has been located. If someone believes they may have used this bathroom on that date, they may contact Lt. F. Nelson at (302) 366-7100 x. 3119 or fnelson@newark.de.us for further information. Victims of crime in Newark may always contact our Victim Services Coordinator, Ms. Melissa Pennachi, at (302) 366-7100 x. 3137.
