Man Arrested After Police Chase in Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach, DE - A man has been arrested following a police chase that began in Bethany Beach, Delaware on Wednesday morning.
At approximately 8:54 A.M., the Bethany Beach Police Department responded to the area of Kent Avenue and Collins Street to check on the well-being of a construction flagger who appeared to be slumped over.
When officers arrived, the individual entered a nearby vehicle and fled the scene. Another construction crew member informed the officers that the man had been involved in a domestic-related incident with a another crew member.
Officers pursued the vehicle, which traveled towards Fenwick Island before turning back north towards Bethany Beach. The chase was discontinued by the Bethany Beach Police Department as it reached unsafe speeds and approached an area with known pedestrian traffic.
After the officers disengaged, the suspect drove into the South Coastal Library parking lot, traveled through private property, struck a house, and then fled on foot into a nearby cul-de-sac.
Bethany Beach Police Department reengaged with the suspect on foot in the Bethany West development. A perimeter was established with assistance from several surrounding agencies and the Delaware State Police Aviation unit.
A strategic search was conducted, narrowing the suspect's possible location.
With help from residents who reported suspicious activity, officers located and apprehended the suspect, who was hiding under a residence on Pebble Court.
The suspect was taken into custody at 11:04 A.M.
During the incident, Lord Baltimore Elementary School in Ocean View, Delaware was placed on a precautionary lockdown to ensure the safety of students and faculty.
This remains an active police investigation, and the Bethany Beach Police Department will release further information at a later time.
The Bethany Beach Police Department extended its thanks to the surrounding law enforcement agencies and the local residents for their attentiveness and communication, which contributed to a safe resolution.
Update 12/4/2025 at 7:00 AM (Suspect identified and photo posted)
The defendant has been identified as Julian T. Lark 2nd. After an extensive search, Lark was taken into custody and medically evaluated. He was transported by Bethany Beach EMS to Beebe Medical Center and later discharged.
Upon his release, Lark was taken to the Bethany Beach Police Department for arrest processing and a DUI investigation. Authorities discovered that Lark also had an active capias for failure to appear, with bail set at $50,000 cash only.
A warrant was approved by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and Lark was charged with several crimes related to the pursuit, including one felony and multiple misdemeanors.
The charges include Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Malicious Mischief by a Motor Vehicle, DUI Drug, and four counts of Reckless Driving. He also faces charges for Criminal Trespass, Driving without a Valid License, four counts of Driving at an Unreasonable Speed, and three counts of Failure to Stop at a Red Light, among other traffic violations.
Lark was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and issued a $4,830 cash bail for the pursuit-related charges, in addition to the pre-existing $50,000 cash bail. He has been committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in Georgetown.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
