Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout: Carjacked Escape by Juveniles

with the chilling words: “Give me your f**ing keys.” The perpetrators fled the scene in the victim’s 2019 Ford Escape, leaving her shaken but unharmed from the carjacking.

The New Castle County Police Department quickly reported the stolen vehicle to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. The incident set off a multi-state alert as authorities sought to locate the vehicle and apprehend the suspects. The vehicle’s description and license plate information were disseminated to law enforcement agencies, marking the beginning of a dramatic pursuit that would span multiple states.

PURSUIT ACROSS STATE LINES

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout – Three days later, on December 12, 2020, the stolen Ford Escape was spotted by the Middletown Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the suspects refused to stop, igniting a high-speed chase. The pursuit was eventually called off due to safety concerns, but not before the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) were alerted and provided with the vehicle’s last known direction: southbound on Interstate 95 (I-95).

At approximately 3:25 AM, PSP Troopers Andrew Baldwin and Vincent Scardilli, stationed near mile marker 12 on I-95, spotted the stolen vehicle speeding southbound. As the Escape hurtled toward the Delaware state line, Trooper Baldwin initiated a pursuit, activating emergency lights and sirens. Despite multiple attempts to signal the vehicle to stop, the suspects continued driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph, weaving dangerously through traffic.

A second PSP patrol car, driven by Trooper Solis with Trooper Greenwood as a passenger, joined the chase near mile marker 3. The Troopers attempted tactical maneuvers, including boxing in the vehicle and executing Pursuit Intervention Tactics (PIT), but the suspects evaded each effort. As the chase intensified, the Escape rammed into Trooper Baldwin’s vehicle, forcing it toward a guardrail.

SHOOTOUT AND CRASH

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout – Faced with an increasingly dangerous situation, Trooper Baldwin fired two shots at the Escape to disable it. When the stolen vehicle attempted to ram the passenger side of the patrol car, Trooper Scardilli responded with 10 shots. Despite this, the Escape continued southbound until it veered into the grassy median along I-95 and crashed into a berm. The four juvenile occupants of the vehicle fled on foot, leading to a brief but intense manhunt.

All four juveniles were apprehended shortly after the crash. Among them was a 13-year-old found in possession of a .38 special revolver containing one live round and two fired cartridge casings. Although this firearm was not discharged during the chase, its presence added a layer of gravity to the situation. The other suspects included a 17-year-old with a graze wound, another 13-year-old, and a 15-year-old.

INVESTIGATION AND JUVENILE TESTIMONIES

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout – The Delaware State Police conducted interviews with the juveniles, accompanied by their guardians. The 17-year-old denied being the driver, claiming he was a passenger in the back left seat and had no knowledge of who was driving. Similarly, one of the 13-year-olds could not recall how the firearm ended up in his waistband or the identity of the driver. Both juveniles’ accounts were vague and inconsistent, raising questions about their credibility.

The presence of juveniles in such a violent and dangerous incident highlighted the complexities of youth involvement in criminal activities. Law enforcement worked to piece together the events leading up to the chase, focusing on identifying the driver and understanding how the juveniles acquired the stolen vehicle and firearm.

LEGAL AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The high-speed chase and subsequent shootout underscored the risks associated with pursuits involving stolen vehicles and armed suspects. Law enforcement agencies often face criticism for the inherent dangers of such pursuits, including risks to public safety and the potential for escalation. The PSP’s decision to engage in a high-speed pursuit was driven by the seriousness of the carjacking and the presence of a firearm.

The incident also reignited debates about juvenile justice and accountability. While the juveniles were apprehended and faced legal consequences, their age and the circumstances of their involvement posed challenges for the judicial system. Questions about the origins of the firearm and the influence of older individuals in orchestrating the carjacking remain central to the investigation.

CONCLUSION ON THE HIGH-SPEED CHASE, SHOOTOUT AND CARJACKING INCIDENT IN DELAWARE

The December 2020 carjacking, high-speed pursuit, and subsequent shootout involving the stolen Ford Escape captured the dangers and complexities of modern policing. The bravery and determination of law enforcement officers to apprehend the suspects prevented further harm, but the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges posed by armed suspects and high-speed chases.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding how these juveniles became embroiled in such a serious crime and preventing similar incidents in the future. The case underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to juvenile crime, addressing root causes while ensuring accountability for actions that endanger public safety.

QUICK SUMMARY ON DASHCAM FOOTAGE OF HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND SHOOTOUT

On December 9, 2020, a 2019 Ford Escape was stolen at gunpoint in New Castle County, Delaware. The victim, a delivery driver, was threatened with a silver revolver by a group of teens who demanded her car keys. Days later, the stolen vehicle was spotted in Pennsylvania, triggering a high-speed police chase across state lines that ended in a dramatic shootout and crash.

The pursuit began when Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troopers identified the stolen Ford Escape on Interstate 95. Despite emergency lights and sirens, the suspects refused to stop, reaching speeds over 100 mph. Multiple police vehicles joined the chase, with officers attempting tactics like boxing in the vehicle and executing PIT maneuvers. The suspects retaliated by ramming a police car, forcing it toward a guardrail. Faced with imminent danger, one trooper fired two shots at the vehicle, and another discharged 10 shots when the suspects tried to ram the patrol car again.

The chase ended when the stolen SUV crashed into a median on I-95. The occupants, all juveniles aged 13 to 17, fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by police. A .38 special revolver was recovered from one of the teens, though it was not fired during the chase. The suspects denied knowledge of who was driving, offering conflicting and vague statements during police interviews.

This incident highlights the dangers of high-speed pursuits and the challenges of addressing juvenile crime. Law enforcement faced immense risks while attempting to apprehend the suspects, whose actions endangered themselves and others. The dramatic events, captured on dashcam footage, underscore the complexities of modern policing and the pressing need for strategies to address youth involvement in violent crimes. This high-stakes chase and its aftermath remain a sobering reminder of the consequences of reckless decisions and the bravery of officers in the line of duty.

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout, Stolen Ford Escape, Carjacking

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout, Stolen Ford Escape, Carjacking

Dashcam Video High-speed chase and shootout, Stolen Ford Escape, Carjacking