Del. Thieves Arrested Following Police Chase
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Two alleged copper thieves were arrested in Delaware following a police chase.
Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, officers were patrolling the area near Dock and Commerce Street when they saw a blue PT Cruiser enter the Chiquita Banana's lot with its lights off.
Officers exited their vehicles and watched as the PT Cruiser drove towards the rear of the lot then left the lot as officers returned to their car.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle by activating their sirens and lights, the vehicle accelerated and sped south on Canal Street east on Christina Landing Road, and onto Apple Street.
Police say the pursuit continued onto South Heald Street then onto Rogers Road and northbound on Route 13.
The vehicle then reversed direction, traveling the wrong way on Route 13, before leading officers down Rogers Road and onto Oakmont Drive, where the PT Cruiser crashed into a bush.
The driver, identified as 39-year-old Jarvis E. Sturgis, of New Castle, attempted to flee the scene on foot. Officers were able to catch up to Sturgis and restrain him, despite the fact that he actively resisted arrest.
Passenger Willie L. J. Burton, a 45-year-old also from New Castle, was also arrested.
Officers then recovered copper piping that was seized from the lot.
Jarvis E. Sturgis, a convicted felon and drug offender, was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $8,050 secured bond.
Willie L. J. Burton, also a convicted felon, was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $950.00 secured bond.
