On February 6, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a Newark Police Officer observed a gray Kia Forte fail to stop at a stop sign at Hillside Road and Sypherd Drive. As the officer pulled behind the vehicle, they confirmed that the Delaware registration affixed to the Kia Forte was reported stolen out of Wilmington.

The officer relayed the information to the patrol shift, and additional officers responded to assist. As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused to comply and fled at a high rate of speed, committing multiple traffic violations.

During the pursuit, an officer successfully deployed Stop Sticks, which safely deflated the vehicle’s tires. The vehicle then pulled into an apartment complex on Wyoming Road, where officers found it abandoned. The suspects had fled on foot.

Officers conducted a search of the complex and located two suspects hiding in a bush, and they were arrested. The other two suspects surrendered to officers without incident. All four defendants were determined to be juvenile males and were transported to Newark Police Headquarters for processing.

Each defendant was charged with the following offenses:

• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal
• No Valid License
• Aggressive Driving
• Unreasonable Speed
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light
• Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (x2)

Following arraignment at JP Court #11, the defendants received the following bail conditions:

• Defendant 1 (15-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
• Defendant 2 (14-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
• Defendant 3 (14-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Unsecured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Released to parents.
• Defendant 4 (16-year-old male of Wilmington): $3,100 Secured Bail, No Contact Order with co-defendants. Transported to New Castle County Detention Center.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this time to reflect on the history and legacy of the Newark Police Department. This year, we’re showcasing an important and mysterious chapter of our story: the legacy of Newark’s first Black police officer, William Thompson.

In his extensive research, Newark Police historian Bob Barnes wrote a book detailing the history of the department dating back to 1867, including details about Officer Thompson. Records from 1915 reveal that a delegation of community members petitioned City Council to hire a Black officer to serve the New London Avenue area.

Later that year, William Thompson was sworn in as a Special Police Officer on a trial basis. Historical records indicate that he served part-time for approximately 14 months, which was common at the time, as most officers at the turn of the 20th century were part-time Special Police Officers.

Despite confirming these facts through handwritten City Council meeting minutes and newspaper articles from the Newark Post, much of Officer Thompson’s story remains untold.

To uncover more about this historical figure, the Newark Police Department’s History Committee is diligently researching historical records and working with community partners.  Together, we are working to piece together this lost chapter of Newark’s history.

We need you, our community, local historians, and cyber sleuths, to help us honor Officer Thompson’s contributions. Can you help us find stories, photographs, documents, or information about William Thompson? Your insights could be the key to solving this historical “cold case.”

If you have information, please contact Corporal Peter Barnes, Chair of the Newark Police Department History Committee, at pbarnes@newark.de.us, or send us a direct message here on social media.