A 19-year-old man from New Castle, identified as Ni’yione Carter, faces multiple charges after he was allegedly caught attempting to steal a vehicle in a residential area of Middletown, Delaware. The incident occurred on the morning of August 2, 2025, when patrol officers from the New Castle County Police Department responded to reports of suspicious activity.
Officers were dispatched to The Village of Bayberry South after a resident reported a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Astaire Place and Stravinsky Avenue. Upon arrival, police discovered a 2024 Kia Forte that had been stolen overnight from a nearby residence.
While investigating the stolen vehicle, officers received a second report from the 2500 block of Chopin Drive. A resident had witnessed an individual breaking a window on a 2015 Kia Soul and attempting to steal it. Officers quickly arrived at the scene and found Carter behind the wheel of the Kia Soul. He was reportedly wearing a surgical mask and in possession of a screwdriver at the time of his arrest.
During the investigation, authorities located a credit card belonging to the owner of the previously stolen Kia Forte near the scene of Carter’s apprehension. Following his arrest, Carter was transported to the New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was formally charged with several offenses. These include one felony count of wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony, one felony count of possession of burglary tools, and one felony count of attempted theft of a motor vehicle. Additionally, he faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, with damages valued between $1,000 and $5,000.
Carter was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and has been committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $4,500 unsecured bail. As the legal process unfolds, all charges against him are considered allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about vehicle theft in residential neighborhoods. Authorities encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
