At approximately 1:42 a.m. Feb. 5, Delaware State Police RECOM advised patrol units in New Castle County that a stolen vehicle was being pursued into Delaware from New Jersey after ramming several police cars in that state.
Troopers picked up the stolen 2006 Lincoln Navigator on I-95 southbound at Route 141. The Lincoln traveled to Route 896 and then into Middletown on Route 301. After taking several back roads, the operator of the Lincoln, Nicholas Martorano, 24, of Turnersville, N.J., drove into a field on Bunker Hill Road at Route 301 and became disabled.
The driver and two passengers, twin brothers Julian Garcia and Giovanni Garcia, 18, of Turnersville, got out of the sports utility vehicle and fled on foot. The passengers were eventually taken into custody. The driver was apprehended by an officer from the Middletown Police Department with the use of his Tazer.
The suspects were transported back to Troop 9 in Odessa. It was learned that in addition to the charges stemming from the pursuit, several agencies in New Jersey have open investigations involving Martorano.
In Delaware, the suspects will all face felony receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Martorano, who was also currently wanted out of New Jersey, will face additional charges in Delaware such as felony disregarding a police officer’s signal and several other traffic offenses.
The suspects have been formally charged with felony Receiving Stolen Property and Conspiracy. Martorano was additionally charged with felony Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal as well as several other traffic offenses.
The Garcia brothers were committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of $5,500 secured bond.
Martorano was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a $7,511 secured bond.
Townsend, Del. —
