Two teenagers arrested after loitering incident in Laurel

LAUREL, Delaware – Two teenagers were arrested after a loitering incident in which Laurel police found an illegal firearm.

According to Laurel police, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. Monday when officers were conducting a search warrant at the Hollybrook Farms apartment complex on Pasture Lane.

While patrolling the area, an officer noticed two male teenagers on bicycles who, according to police, were loitering in the hallways of several buildings and knocking on the windows of an occupied apartment.

When the officer attempted to make contact with them, police say they quickly got on their bikes and rode away toward the front of the complex. Additional officers were already in the area and stopped both of them between the 300 and 400 buildings.

The two were identified as 14-year-old males and were known to Laurel police from previous criminal investigations, according to police. One of them was also involved in a chase involving a stolen vehicle in April 2024.

Due to their age and the time of night, officers arrested them for violating the city’s curfew. During a search, police found a loaded firearm on one of the teenagers. The serial number of the weapon had been obscured. Police found marijuana on the other teenager.

The juveniles were taken to the Laurel Police Department for case processing.

The teen allegedly in possession of the firearm, who police said did not live at the Hollybrook Apartments, was charged with the following offenses: concealed carrying of a deadly weapon (Class D), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (Class D), possession of ammunition by a prohibited person (Class D), possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number (Class D), and third-degree trespassing (violation). He was arraigned and remanded to the Stevenson House Juvenile Detention Center in lieu of $10,050 bail.

The second teenager, who police said actually lived at the Hollybrook Apartments, was charged with possession of marijuana under 18 (misdemeanor) and loitering (violation).

In addition to the above charges, the parents of both children were served with summonses related to the curfew in Laurel Town, LA 0069004b: “Parents, through ineffective control, allow minors to remain in public places after the curfew has expired.”

Although the ordinance has been in effect since 1998, the Laurel City Council changed the age and time restrictions in response to a recent rise in violent crime among youth in Laurel. This is the first instance in which officials have been able to use the ordinance to proactively address dangerous criminal behavior.

This is an ongoing investigation. If you or anyone you know has information about this case or other criminal activity, please contact Laurel Police at 302-875-2244.