(New Castle, DE 19720) Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 42-year-old Randy Purnell of New Castle and 35-year-old Aaron Douglas of Laurel in reference to the kidnapping/vehicle theft that occurred on November 29, 2023. Through investigative measures, detectives were able to identify the original suspect vehicle as a black Nissan Kicks. That vehicle was located by officers of the Philadelphia Police Department on November 29, 2023. The suspect vehicle was occupied by Aaron Douglas and Randy Purnell. The suspects were taken into custody in reference to unrelated arrest warrants and transported to a local precinct. Detectives from New Castle County were on scene in Philadelphia and responded to the precinct. Investigators later located the stolen Nissan Altima in Kensington.

Following the investigation, New Castle County Detectives authored arrest warrants for both suspects. They were charged with one felony count of kidnapping in the second degree, one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle, one felony count of conspiracy in the first degree, and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. Both suspects are currently being held in Pennsylvania pending extradition back to Delaware. This investigation is still active and anyone with information is asked to please contact Detective Gino Cevallos at 302-395-8129 or by email at Gino.Cevallos@newcastlede.gov

Purnell, Randy (42)

Douglas, Aaron (35)

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