A high-speed chase and the subsequent arrest of a Bear man have brought the New Castle County Police Department's Active Crime Trend Team (ACTT) into the spotlight. The incident, detailed in a social media post by the department, occurred late last week when detectives were patrolling near Smalley's Dam in Bear, Delaware.
During their patrol on Friday, October 24, 2025, detectives noticed a black Kia Cadenza making multiple traffic violations. The driver, later identified as 29-year-old James Munford, was initially stopped by the detectives. However, the situation escalated dramatically when Munford placed the vehicle into drive and sped away, nearly hitting two officers at the scene. In a statement obtained by New Castle County Police, both officers were said to have "jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle." The perilous encounter did not end there, as Munford then barreled towards a third responding officer, who narrowly avoided a collision by maneuvering out of the way.
The chase was brief, with Munford's vehicle coming to an abrupt halt on the unit block of Victoria Boulevard. When he attempted to flee on foot, a foot pursuit and taser deployment by the police resulted in his capture. Munford now faces several charges, including three felony counts of reckless endangering in the first degree, one count of resisting arrest with force, and multiple other charges related to the incident and ensuing chase.
Following his arrest, Munford was transported to NCCPD headquarters and processed for his alleged offenses. According to the New Castle County Police, he was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11, and his bail was set at "$25,900 cash bail." As the New Castle County Police Department continues its work, this high-speed pursuit serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that traffic stops can occasionally present to law enforcement officers and the public alike.
