The Newark Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of two suspects linked to  a motor vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of January 13, 2025, during which a vehicle struck the St. John AM Church located at the corner of New London Road and Hillside Road.

Brandon Mayes, 21 (pictured below) and Kasim Coleman, 24, (no photo available) both from Philadelphia, were identified and linked to the vehicle that crashed into the church after fleeing from police officers at a car dealership on East Cleveland Ave.    Warrants for both suspects were obtained on the following charges:

• Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle x 2
• Receiving Stolen Property over $1500
• Criminal Mischief $5000 or more
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• Criminal Mischief more than $1000 but less than $5000
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000
• Multiple Traffic Violations

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective James Skinner at (302) 366-7100 ext. 3135 or via email at jskinner@newark.de.us. Additional methods for submitting tips, including information on potential rewards, are available on the Newark Police Department’s  tips page.

Original Post

On February 8, 2025, at about 0048 hours, members of the Newark Police Department were conducting proactive enforcement and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had committed multiple traffic violations.   During the stop, driver, Sean Dotson, 21, of New Jersey was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for DUI.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, and located a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat where Dotson had been sitting.

Dotson was charged with the following:

• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon- Firearm

• Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated

• DUI

• Multiple Traffic Offenses

Dotson was processed by officers and was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Court # 11 judge, where he was given $4,000.00 secured and turned over to the custody of the Department Of Corrections at Howard R. Young Correctional Facility.