(Middletown, DE. 19709) On Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 11:08 p.m., an Officer with the New Castle County Division of Police, while on patrol, observed an older-model blue-and-white two-tone Ford F-150 leaving a section of the Whitehall development that is currently under construction. As the vehicle exited the development, the Officer observed the driver commit a traffic violation and activated emergency lights to initiate a motor vehicle stop on Lorewood Grove Road.

The driver immediately failed to stop and fled at an unsafe speed. The Officer subsequently lost sight of the vehicle; however, a short time later, another Officer located the truck on Ratledge Road, where the driver again failed to stop and continued to flee from Officers. The vehicle eventually entered the Crystal Run Farms neighborhood, where both occupants exited the truck and ran away into a wooded area in the 100 block of Crystal Run Drive.

The Delaware State Police Aviation Section, Trooper 4, was requested to assist with an aerial search and, upon arrival, located one of the suspects hiding in a wooded area near the railroad tracks. Officers quickly converged on the location and took 46-year-old Eric Loudermilk of Elkton, Maryland, the driver of the vehicle, into custody. With continued assistance from Trooper 4, the passenger, 59-year-old Thomas Yates of Dover, Delaware, was later located on the railroad tracks and taken into custody without further incident.

Eric Loudermilk was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• One felony count of Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal
• One misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest
• One misdemeanor count of Conspiracy in the Third Degree
• One misdemeanor count of Failure to Have Insurance in Possession
• One misdemeanor count of Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• One violation for Speeding in Excess of the Posted Speed Limit
• One violation for Failure to Signal Continuously
• One violation of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree

Loudermilk was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $2,005.00 secured bail.

Thomas Yates was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• One misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest
• One misdemeanor count of Conspiracy in the Third Degree
• One violation of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree

Yates was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $1,001.00 unsecured bail.

Eric Loudermilk – 46

Thomas Yates – 59

(Newark, DE 19702) – The New Castle County Division of Police has issued a Gold Alert for 42-year-old Bradley Raymond.

Bradley left his residence in the 100 block of Bartley Drive between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and has not returned. Despite extensive efforts, officers have been unable to locate or make contact with him, and there is growing concern for his health and safety.

Bradley is described as approximately 5’8” tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with hazel eyes, long brown hair, and a short beard. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, jeans, and hiking boots. His current whereabouts and destination are unknown.

Anyone with information regarding Bradley Raymond’s location is urged to contact the New Castle County Police at (302) 573-2800 or call 911 immediately.

On Monday, January 5, 2026, the funeral for Delaware State Trooper Cpl/1 Mathew T. “Ty” Snook will take place at the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center (631 South College Avenue, Newark).

A large turnout is expected, and drivers should expect heavy traffic and delays around the Bob Carpenter Center between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

To ensure safety and minimize disruptions, please plan alternate routes, allow extra travel time, and follow all posted signs and directions from officers.