NEWARK, Del. — Delaware State Police arrested a 51-year-old man following a pursuit in a stolen vehicle near the Christiana Mall on Thursday. Elvis Cruz, of Newark, faces multiple felony charges in connection with the incident.
At approximately 10:58 a.m. on September 26, a state trooper patrolling the area was alerted to a stolen Nissan Maxima in the mall’s parking lot. The trooper confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen within the jurisdiction of the New Castle County Police Department. After attempting a traffic stop on Stanton Christiana Road, Cruz initially pulled over but quickly fled at a high speed, leading officers on a brief pursuit.
With help from bystanders, officers located the vehicle abandoned in the parking lot of the Sonesta Suites hotel on Chapman Road. Cruz attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase, during which a Taser was deployed.
A search of the stolen vehicle uncovered items stolen from Macy’s earlier that day, along with evidence linking Cruz to additional thefts at Christiana Mall between September 22 and 24. These included perfumes valued at over $1,500 stolen from Perfume Point on September 22.
Cruz was taken to Troop 2 and charged with multiple offenses, including felony theft and resisting arrest. He was arraigned and released on three unsecured bonds totaling $12,102.
