NEWARK, DE — Two Philadelphia men wanted in connection with a January 2025 crash into a Newark church have surrendered to police after investigators spent more than a year hunting them down.
Brandon Mayes, 22, turned himself in Aug. 18. Kasim Coleman, 25, surrendered Aug. 31, Newark Police said Thursday.
The charges originate from a Jan. 13, 2025 incident that ended with a vehicle crashing into a house of worship. Both were taken to a hospital with injuries after the crash and admitted for treatment. Police said they left the hospital before detectives could obtain warrants for their arrests.
Detectives later secured warrants and continued searching for the men, including in Philadelphia and surrounding areas as the hunt continued.
Mayes is charged with two counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property valued over $1,500, second-degree conspiracy and multiple criminal mischief offenses. He also faces charges of disregarding a police officer signal and several traffic violations. Justice of the Peace Court released him on $3,703 unsecured bail following his arraignment.
Coleman faces many of the same charges, along with first-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangering. Police said the assault charge alleges intentional or reckless serious injury during the commission of a felony. He was committed in default of $50,004 cash bail after his arraignment.
The charges are accusations. Mayes and Coleman are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Detective James Skinner is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information can call him at 302-366-7100, ext. 3135, or email jskinner@newark.de.us. Newark Police also accept tips through the department’s tips page.