CAMDEN, DELAWARE (8/9/2015) A man sought on multiple shoplifting charges was captured after he fled from a traffic stop near Dover, crashed into another car while going the wrong way on U.S. 13 and later abandoned his vehicle and took off on foot near Camden, Delaware State Police said this morning.
The 2-mile long pursuit began about 1 p.m. Saturday when a trooper spotted a Hyundai Elantra near South Governors Avenue and Gunning Bedford Drive, just south of Dover.
When a computer check found the vehicle was linked to a shoplifting investigation, the trooper stopped the Hyundai in the parking lot of the Rodney Village Shopping Center.
Police said the driver, later identified as Kenneth W. Watson, 53, of Dover, gave a false name. While the trooper was in his patrol car, Watson drove off at high speed back onto South Governors Avenue and then south on South DuPont Highway (U.S. 13).
Watson drove on the shoulder due to heavy traffic, then crossed into the northbound lanes at West Lebanon Road (Route 10), police said, and traveled against traffic, striking a 2008 Dodge Charger near the Tractor Supply store south of Voshells Mill-Star Hill Road.
Police said Watson didn’t stop and turned into the Price Honda parking lot, nearly striking four pedestrians.
He then continued through the lot, across Peachtree Run and into the yard of a home on Vanessa Drive, police said, where he stopped at a wood line and continued on foot.
He was captured shortly after by troopers and Camden town police.
The 20-year-old driver of the Dodge was not injured, police said.
Watson was later taken to Kent General Hospital after complaining of a medical issue unrelated to the incident, police said. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Court judge at the hospital for a violation of probation charge and remained in custody of the Delaware Department of Correction.
Police said he will later be arraigned on the charges stemming from the pursuit which include four counts of reckless endangering, disregarding a police officer’s signal, criminal impersonation, resisting arrest, driving while suspended or revoked, and various other traffic offenses.
State police also have warrants for a shoplifting incident Feb. 1 at the Walmart store in Cheswold when Watson allegedly removed two home theater systems without paying.
Dover police also will be charging Watson for three separate shoplifting incidents.