LAUREL POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR PURSUIT SUSPECT FROM EARLY JULY 2024

Laurel, DE-The Laurel Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating Angieliah L Whaley (23) of Laurel, DE, in reference to a vehicle pursuit that occurred on 7/6/24. 

On 7/6/24, Laurel Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gray 2024 Volkswagen Jetta in the area of Carvel Gardens Apartments on Wilson Street. The initial vehicle stop was about the vehicle's registration being flagged for a felony warrant and multiple capiases for Whaley, the registered owner. 

The vehicle failed to stop, leading officers on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through Laurel's residential streets, reaching speeds over 120MPH on Sussex Highway. The vehicle's driver demonstrated no regard for the public's safety, and officers ultimately terminated the pursuit in the interest of public safety. The Jetta was eventually abandoned in Salisbury, MD, and is currently in police custody. 

At one point during this investigation, Whaley attempted to report her vehicle stolen falsely and has not cooperated with additional attempts to investigate the multiple dangerous incidents her vehicle was involved in. Delaware Title 21 Section 4103, the statutes related to vehicle pursuits, allows officers to have a "rebuttable presumption that the persons in whose name (the) vehicle is registered...committed such violations" that occurred during a pursuit. As a result, a warrant was issued for Whaley's arrest to answer for the following crimes:

• Reckless Endangering First Degree x10 (Class E Felony)
• Disregarding Police Signal (Class G Felony)
• Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Mischief Over $1000 (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor)
• 72 additional traffic violations

In addition to the listed Laurel PD warrant, Whaley is wanted by a neighboring police agency for a separate high-speed vehicle pursuit, and three capiases issued by the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas. 

In addition to a recent DMV photo of Whaley, a screenshot of body-worn camera video is also being included for a more recent representation of Whaley's appearance. The issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a subject is merely a showing of probable cause by the investigating agency related to the above incident. The subject, once arrested, is considered to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244 or by direct message to this page. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-847-3333 or texting "KEYWORD" followed by your information to CRIMES (274637). 

Tips submitted to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest are potentially eligible for a cash reward.