Cars damaged on Hockessin roads due to criminal mischief: police

A person has been intentionally dumping nails and screws near the entrances of Hockessin communities causing flat tires, New Castle County police said on Thursday.

At least eight vehicles have been damaged since this began at the end of March. There are also additional reports of where nails and drywall screws were found, said Cpl. Michael McNasby, a police spokesman.

"This has happened on seven different dates with the first one reported on March 31, 2023, and the last one being reported early this morning (April 20, 2023)," McNasby said. "So far it has only been reported in Hockessin."

Investigators believe a black pickup truck may be involved in the incidents, and detectives are attempting to identify the owner or operator.

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Detectives on Thursday released a photo of a black pickup truck, which was seen operating around Benge and Old Wilmington roads. This is in Hockessin near the state line with Pennsylvania.

Anyone with information about these incidents or the vehicle in the surveillance image please contact Detective Adam Weldon at (302) 395-2815 or [email protected] or by calling the New Castle County police nonemergency number at (302) 573-2800. If you happen to witness a suspect dumping nails, screws, or hardware on any roadway please dial 911.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, [email protected].