Three Dewey Beach officers injured during chase
By DEWEY BEACH — Three officers were injured and an arrest followed during a weekend incident involving a stolen all-terrain vehicle, Dewey Beach police said.
According to spokesman Lt. Cliff Dempsey, Michael Sabino, 27, of Harrington, burglarized the Dewey Beach Patrol headquarters Saturday and removed the four-wheeled ATV from a locked area, as well as burglarized two other buildings.
At approximately 2:25 a.m., Dewey Beach officers saw the ATV traveling south in the northbound lanes of Coastal Highway, police said. The vehicle, which had no headlights in use, made a left onto Saulsbury Avenue and proceeded toward the beach.
The ATV traveled south on the beach, then moved to the Dagsworthy Avenue dune crossing, police said. An officer attempted to stop the driver, who police later identified as Mr. Sabino.
Lt. Dempsey said the suspect attempted to elude the officer, rapidly accelerating the ATV and dragging the officer several feet, causing a minor injury. The vehicle proceeded westbound on Dagsworthy Avenue toward Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed.
Mr. Sabino then abandoned the ATV behind a commercial building, police said, but several officers located him, and he resisted arrest.
During the altercation, a seasonal officer suffered a minor hand injury, was transported to Beebe Healthcare, Lewes, for treatment and released.
Another officer suffered a minor injury connected to the use of a stun gun.
Mr. Sabino was transported to Beebe Healthcare, treated for minor injuries and released.
He was charged with second-degree assault (two counts), endangering the welfare of a person (two counts), offensive touching of a law enforcement officer, third-degree burglary, theft over $1,500, criminal mischief under $1,500 (three counts), operating an off-the-highway vehicle under the influence and numerous traffic offenses.
Following arraignment, Mr. Sabino was released on a $25,050 unsecured bond.
