(Newark, DE 19702) On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Officers with the New Castle County Division of Police were in the Salem Woods community conducting an investigation following complaints of dirt bikes and off-highway vehicles being operated illegally on public roadways and within parklands.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., Officers observed a green and black dirt bike traveling on Jaymar Boulevard. The operator was not wearing a helmet, and the dirt bike was not displaying a registration plate or lights.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in a fully marked police vehicle. However, the operator refused to stop, fled the area, and committed multiple traffic violations while attempting to evade police.

Responding Officers were able to track the dirt bike and locate the operator at a residence on Diane Court. The operator, identified as 19-year-old John Charles, was taken into custody without incident.

John Charles 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 Failure to Have Required Insurance
• One violation of Operating an Unregistered Off-Highway Vehicle
• One violation of Operating an OHV Without a Helmet
• One violation of Operating an OHV in Violation of Traffic Control Devices
• One violation of Operating an OHV Without Required Lights
• One violation of Illegal Operation of an OHV
• One violation of OHV Operator Disobeying a Command to Stop
• One violation of No Motorcycle License

Charles was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on his own recognizance.

John Charles – 19

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to what is believed to have been a medical emergency involving an individual in the area of Route 13 near Anchor Inn Road in Townsend.

While responding Officers and Emergency Medical Services were providing medical care to the individual, another person who had been present at the scene left the area in a vehicle before officers could determine their involvement in the incident.

A short time later, Officers were notified that the vehicle had been involved in a crash on Route 1 near Bayview Road. Following the crash, the driver fled from the scene, and Officers searched the wooded areas along Route 1, Route 13, and surrounding roadways to locate the individual, determining their involvement in the incident, and check if they needed medical treatment following the crash.

At this time, the individual has not been located, and there is no information indicating a threat to public safety.

Officers remain actively investigating the circumstances surrounding both incidents and are working to determine the sequence of events and ensure a thorough and accurate investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

It’s your turn to experience our next 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗭𝗢𝗡𝗘!

Join the New Castle County Division of Police for an afternoon of games, music, snacks, and family fun! Meet your local officers, connect with your neighbors, and make lasting summer memories at this free community event.

📍 50 Durham Court

Newark, DE 19713

📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026

🕓 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

We’ll have plenty of activities, games, and treats for all ages! Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and come spend a summer afternoon with us.

We hope to see you there!