Laurel, DE - On November 1, 2023, at approximately 5:32 pm, an officer from the Laurel Police Department was on patrol in the area of Georgetown Road, when the officer observed a gold Ford Expedition traveling with an obstructed registration plate/tag. 

The officer initiated a traffic stop as the vehicle turned Northbound on Seaford Road. 

The vehicle failed to yield to the officer's traffic stop attempt, and began increasing the speeds well in excess of the posted 35MPH then 50MPH speed limits. 

The officer pursued the vehicle as it passed multiple other vehicles in the area, crossing the double-yellow line and in the shoulder of the roadway in an attempt to avoid the officer. The vehicle continued to flee in a reckless manner as it approached the intersection of Bethel Road, where traffic was stopped at the stop sign. 

The vehicle again passed stopped traffic over the double-yellow line, failed to stop at the stop sign, and left the roadway into a field. The driver attempted to regain control of the vehicle as it fishtailed through the field, ultimately crossing back over Bethel Road and colliding with a tree. 

The vehicle was disabled as a result of the collision, and the driver was taken into custody.

The driver was identified as Abien A Lemus (22) of Laurel, DE. Further investigation revealed Lemus did not possess a valid driver's license and the vehicle was unregistered with no insurance. 

Additionally, Lemus was found to have an active felony warrant (unrelated to this incident) out of the Delaware State Police Troop 5. 

Lemus was evaluated at a local hospital as a precaution due to the collision, medically cleared, and transported to the Laurel Police Department for processing. 

As a result of this investigation, he was charged with the following crimes:

Lemus was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and subsequently released on his own recognizance for the Laurel PD charges.

Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244 or by direct message to this page. 

Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crimestoppers by calling 800-847-3333 or texting "KEYWORD" followed by your information to CRIMES (274637). 

Tips submitted to Crimestoppers that lead to an arrest are potentially eligible for a cash reward.