State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security

 

Division of State Police

 

Superintendent Robert M. Coupe

DSP News Release: Friday, July 31, 2009- Subject Challenges Trooper to Come Find Her

 

Location: State of Delaware, New Castle County

 

Date of Occurrence: July 27th, 2009

 

Suspect(s): Verona E. Norton, 27, who was last known to live on West Street in Wilmington, Delaware

 

Resume: On July 3rd, 2009, a Troop 9 patrol officer stopped Verona Norton for speeding on Route 1 at Route 299.  During the traffic stop, she was cited for Unreasonable Speed and No Valid License.  The hitch was that at the time of the stop, Norton provided the Trooper with a false name.  Because she did not have a license with her at the time of the stop, the Trooper obtained a set of finger prints from her.

 

Two weeks later, when Ms. Verona did not show up for court on the speeding ticket, the investigating Trooper had an analysis conducted on the finger prints he obtained on the 3rd.  This check revealed Norton’s true identity. 

 

A computer check revealed Norton was wanted on five active capiases and two arrest warrants- one from the Smyrna Police Department and one from the Wilmington Police Department. 

 

The Trooper completed another arrest warrant for Norton charging her with Forgery and Criminal Impersonation.  He then called her, using his own cell phone, and asked her to turn herself in.  She advised she would do no such thing. 

 

Although officers often have subjects who refuse to turn themselves in, what happened next surprised the Trooper.  He received a text message from Norton (remember she had his number because he called her from his own phone previousely). The message read-  "When Im ready I will call u so u can get that bonus u deserve cause lookin 4 me u gonna work hard." 

 

Authorities are asking anyone who knows the location of Ms. Norton to call Troop 9 at 302-378-5749 ext. 627 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

 

Verona E. Norton

 

 

 

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