Adult, 2 Teens Apprehended After Chases, K9 Search In Delco

CHESTER, PA — Pennsylvania State Police took an adult and two juveniles into custody following a chase and search over the weekend in Delaware County.

Sean Howard, 19, of Philadelphia, is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, evading arrest, receiving stolen property, and numerous traffic violations in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation, authorities said.

The incident began at about 5:43 p.m. Friday.

A trooper was helping a driver involved in a hit-and-run at about that time on Interstate 95 when he learned of a Toyota RAV4 out of Philadelphia was stolen.

The trooper tried to stop the Toyota, but the vehicle took off, leading the trooper on a chase, police said.

The chase made its way into Chester city and at one point the vehicle drove toward the trooper, who was able to identify the operator as a black man wearing a white shirt and a green knit winter hat, authorities said.

Despite the vehicle being lost by police on Township Line Road, state police canvassed the area and saw a Chester City Police unit behind the vehicle traveling west on State Route 322. Chester City Police ended their pursuit before state police joined in.

The vehicle was last seen traveling west on Route 322.

Then at about 6:04 p.m., a Bethel Township resident called 911, saying he saw a RAV4 speed into the driveway of a home on Loraine Drive.

Troopers arrived on scene and canvassed the wooded area behind the residence. A tracking K-9 and a drone were requested to aid in the search.

Troopers saw new shoe prints on a muddy trail, which went northwest away from the home.

More troopers spoke with a resident at a home on Mansion Lane, which is north of Loraine Drive, who said that three black men were hiding under his deck at about 6:09 p.m.

Troopers then canvassed the housing development on Mansion Lane, where they encountered the three. All three were taken into custody without incident.

Police identified the driver as Howard. The two passengers were identified as juveniles.