DSP News Release: Saturday, January 31, 2009- Theft Suspect Steals Mall Security Vehicle in His Attempt to Flee

Location of Incident:  Christiana Mall, Mall Boulevard, Newark, Delaware

Date and Time of Occurrence:  Friday, January 30^th, 2009, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Suspect(s):  Brandon Sanders, 23, of North Broad Street in Middletown (also known as Brandon Smith)

Resume: Police officers will tell you that one advantage to being a police officer is that no two days or incidents are the same.  This adage proved to be true on Friday.

Troopers were called to the Christiana Mall at approximately 2:30 p.m. for a report of a shoplifter who had stolen a mall security vehicle.  Troopers arrived on the scene and were advised the suspect in question had now ditched the Christiana Mall Security Ford Escape on the mall property and had run back into Macy’s.  A search of the store was conducted and officers located Mr. Brandon Sanders hiding in the Macy’s linens department storage room.  He was hiding beneath some storage shelves under a pile of towels. 

When the Trooper attempted to handcuff Sanders, he actively fought and resisted arrest.  Finally, he was taken into custody.  When Sanders was searched, officers located suspected marijuana and counterfeit marijuana.

With Saunders now in custody, officers began to piece together the earlier events.  This investigation revealed Sanders entered the Macy’s where he shoplifted approximately $250.00 worth of clothes. He fled Macy’s and went to Abercrombie & Fitch where he concealed a $50.00 bottle of cologne.  Sanders then took off with the merchandise.

By this time, mall security was called in and closing in on Sanders.  He fled the mall and made his way to a construction trailer in the mall parking lot where he attempted to hide inside.  Here he was confronted by security.  Instead of going peacefully, Sanders ran from them. The security guards gave chase; however, Sanders continued to elude capture.  Sanders doubled back to the area of the construction trailer where he jumped into a security SUV and drove away.  Before leaving the mall property, Sauders ditched the SUV and re-entered Macy’s.  It was at this point he was apprehended while hiding.

Brandon Sanders was formally charged with Burglary (felony), Theft of a Motor Vehicle (felony), Resisting Arrest (felony), two counts of Shoplifting (misdemeanor), Possession of Marijuana (misdemeanor), Possession of a Counterfeit Controlled Substance (misdemeanor) and Trespass (misdemeanor).  He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a $6,100.00 secured bond.  He was also ordered not to return to the mall.

 

Brandon Sanders