DOVER MAN RESISTS ARREST OVER SKATEBOARDING

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Robert D. Kellam II, 28, of Dover, Del. was charged with resisting arrest Wednesday night (06/06/18) after fleeing from officers multiple times and leading them on a foot pursuit that covered over three city blocks following an officer’s attempt to get him to stop skateboarding on the Boardwalk.

At around 7:30pm, a Rehoboth Beach Police Officer on foot patrol saw Kellam riding a skateboard north on the Boardwalk toward his location at Rehoboth Avenue.  When the officer attempted to stop Kellam he turned around and fled south nearly colliding with a group of people before exiting the Boardwalk onto Wilmington Avenue where the officer lost sight of him.

The officer called for the assistance of a bicycle patrol officer and was able to once again located Kellam, still skateboarding, inside First Street Station which is located at Wilmington Avenue and First Street.  Even though he was told again to stop, Kellam fled west onto Wilmington Avenue.  The bicycle officer was able to locate Kellam at Wilmington Avenue and Second Street where he was joined by another officer in a patrol car and together they were able to apprehend Kellam in the second block of Delaware Avenue following a short foot pursuit. 

No one was injured as a result of Kellam’s resistance; however, one officer’s uniform was damage as a result of a fall during the pursuit.

Kellam was arrested and charged with 1 count of resisting arrest and 1 count of criminal mischief.  Both are misdemeanor offenses. 

Kellam was released on $1100.00 unsecured bail.

In the interest of public safety, the Rehoboth Beach Police reminds residents and visitors of the following skateboard restrictions per city code:

• It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate any skateboard on and/or over any sidewalk adjoining any street, any street in the City of Rehoboth Beach from May 15 until September 15 of any year.

• It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate any skateboard on and/or over the bandstand or any public structures throughout the entire year. The term "public structures" shall, in addition to its ordinary meaning, include but not be limited to the City's benches, plaques, memorials and steps.

• It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate any skateboard on, under and/or over the Boardwalk or any of the Boardwalk pavilions throughout the entire year.

Release by PIO Lt. Jaime Riddle.