Dover Juvenile Arrested on Firearms Charges After Foot Pursuit

Incident Number:  50-23-14851

Date/Time: Friday, May 12, 2023 at 6:42 p.m.

Location: South Governors Ave and West Division Street, Dover, DE 

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested a 12-year-old juvenile, of Dover, on weapons charges, and James Ayers, 21,of Dover, on resisting arrest charges, following a foot pursuit Friday evening. The investigation began when members of the Street Crimes Unit observed the 12-year-old Juvenile, whom officers knew to be wanted by juvenile probation, walking in the downtown area with Ayers. Officers attempted to take him into custody in the area of of South Bradford Street and Division Street at which time the juvenile and Ayers ran away. The 12-year-old was taken into custody after the foot chase and after removing a firearm from his waistband, however Ayers got away at this time. Ayers was observed shortly after inside of a vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle and Ayers fled again on foot however he was taken into custody after the foot pursuit. Both Ayers and the 12-year-old were taken to Dover Police Department for processing.

The 12-year-old juvenile was committed to Stevenson Juvenile Detention Facility on $21,000 secured bail on the following charges:
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
-Resisting Arrest

Ayers was released on his own recognizance on the following charges:
-Resisting Arrest (2x)