Month: May 2014

Incident #: 50-14-13167      Date/Time:   Sunday May 25, 2014  11:18PM

Location: North New Street/Division Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department responded to a robbery/shooting in the area of North New Street and Division Street late Sunday night.  According to the male victim, he was confronted by an unknown black male suspect who displayed a black handgun and demanded money.  The victim grabbed the gun and struggled with the suspect over control of it.  The suspect began firing numerous times, and struck the victim in the right leg, causing injury.  The victim fled into a nearby residence and contacted 911.  The suspect fled with an unknown amount of cash and the victim was transported to Kent general Hospital where he was treated and released for the leg wound.  The victim has been uncooperative with police efforts in the investigation at this time.

Incident #: 50-14-13398      Date/Time:   Wednesday May 28, 2014  10:59AM

Location: 200 Block of N/E Kings Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious device that was discovered inside a home in the 200 Block of N/E Kings Highway today.  After seeing the device the department determined it may possibly contain explosives and immediately notified the Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and began to evacuate surrounding residences and closed the Silver Lake Park.  The DSP E.O.D. team arrived on scene shortly after being notified and investigated the item and determined it was an inert training device, more specifically, a deactivated mortar round.  Several other disabled grenades and other items were found throughout the house and are believed to be a part of a collection.  The devices were discovered when an acquaintance of the owner was packing items so the owner could move out of the house.  The acquaintance discovered the items inside of a closet in the residence.  At this time, no charges are pending against the owner of the devices.  The scene was declared safe and all units cleared the area at approximately 3:00PM.  The Dover Police Department would like to extend their thanks to the Delaware State Police E.O.D. Team, the Dover Fire Department, and Kent County EMS for their assistance.

The Dover Police Department is currently on scene in the area of Kings Highway, between Division Street and US Rt 13, for a suspicious package.  The package may contain explosive material.  The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit is on their way to the area to assist.  Homes and offices within the area of concern are being evacuated at this time, and the roadways have been shut down.  Silver Lake Park is also closed until further notice.  Further details will be released shortly.

The Dover Police Department is issuing a warning about recent phone scams that several citizens have reported.  The most recent scam involved phone calls from persons falsely identifying themselves as members of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and/or Delaware Courts.  The callers have been telling recipients that they missed jury duty and must pay a fine over the phone/wire transfer immediately to avoid or cancel a warrant for their arrest.  The Kent County Sheriff’s Office has reported at least half a dozen such calls that they are aware of.  No court representative will phone your home asking for money. If you are called, do not give out any personal or financial information and immediately report the incident to authorities. Be on alert and report calls.  If you are unsure of a call/letter from the Delaware Court system or Kent County Sheriff’s Office, you should contact the appropriate courthouse on this website: Delaware Courts (Jury)  .  There are several other similar phone/email scams that have been reported to the Dover Police Department as well.  Many of these calls are from overseas and once money is sent, there is little that can be done for the victims.  For more information about telephone and email scams, please visit the following site: Federal Trade Commission (Phone Scams) 

Once again, NASCAR race week is upon us here in Dover, Delaware. The City of Dover Police Department welcomes fans to the 2014 NASCAR Race Series at the Dover International Speedway beginning on Friday, May 30 for the “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series; Saturday, May 31 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series; and Sunday, June 1 for the “Dover 400” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.   The biannual event is rolling into Dover this week and can bring over 100,000 people to the capital city.  As with any other large event, race weekend can provide numerous challenges for our department, the citizens of Dover, and the fans coming in.  The Dover Police Department in coordination  DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) and the Delaware State Police will monitor traffic in and around the Dover vicinity to ensure safe travel for motorists.  The Dover Police Department would like to offer the following tips/advice to help make life a little easier this week for our citizens and visitors to the Dover area.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

• In Any Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
• Dover Police Department (Non-Emergency Line): 302-736-7111
• Text alerts from Dover Speedway: Text DOVERALERTS to 99000 to sign up.
• Dover Speedway: 1-800-441-RACE (7223)
• Dover Speedway Security: 302-883-6750

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Dover Police Department Facebook
• Dover Police Department Twitter or @DoverDEPolice
• Dover International Speedway Facebook
• Dover International Speedway Twitter or @MonsterMile
• DelDOT (DE Dept. of Transportation) Facebook
• DelDOT Twitter or @Delaware DOT

TRAFFIC:

• Most race related traffic will begin to arrive Wednesday and continue through the weekend.  The increased volume will cause minor delays in the area of the Dover Downs main entrance, US Rt 13/Leipsic Road, and Route 1/Scarborough Road areas.  Please allow extra time for your morning commute to avoid delays.
• TAKE IT SLOW:  When traveling the Route 13 corridor, please obey all posted speed limits and traffic laws.  Not only does volume increase on our roadways but pedestrian traffic is substantially higher than normal.
• Use alternate routes prior to the race start and at the conclusion of each race to avoid the traffic congestion that occurs when the races let out.  Route 9, Route 1, Route 8, and Route 15 are great alternatives to avoid the race traffic.
• YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS
• BE AWARE of police/traffic officials directing traffic and follow their commands to reach your destination safely.

 RACE FAN SAFETY/SECURITY:

• Please do not drink and drive or cross roadways when impaired.
• Cross roadways at intersections or where police officials are directing traffic in order to cross safely.
• Please obey all police/traffic officials directions.
• Only travel in the passenger compartment of vehicles with seat belts on and not truck beds, bumpers, tailgates, etc.
• Do not operate golf carts, ATV’s, and other non-registered vehicles on roadways
• Secure all property (bikes, golf carts, coolers, etc) prior to leaving your camp sites
• Remove keys and secure golf carts to a fixed object when possible to avoid theft.
• Lock all campers/RV’s and secure tent zippers with locks if possible

FIRST AID LOCATIONS AT THE TRACK:

First Aid locations are open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the following areas:

• Finish Line Drive, across from Gate 1 (Open Thursday also)
• Corner of Persimmon Tree Lane and Pit Stop Road near Lot 9
• Gate5 (South side of track)
• Across from Gate 15 (Near hospitality village)
• Inside Turn 4, just outside of Nationwide Series Garage (Restricted Access)

LOST CHILD/PARTY SEPARATION:

• In the event of a lost child (under 18), please contact the nearest speedway employee/security or police officer.  Details such as clothing, location last seen, recent photographs, etc will be beneficial to reuniting a child and parent/guardian.
• If you have lost a member of your party (adult), contact a Speedway employee, security, or go to the Fan Care Center on Finish Line Drive across from Gate 1.

CITY OF DOVER OPEN CONTAINER ORDINANCE:

• Public place means any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment, or other lawful purposes, but does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the use of the public. It shall also include the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern, or other place of business and also public grounds, areas, or parks.

  (b) Public places. Except when permitted by federal, state, county or municipal law, it is unlawful for any person to consume, or possess with the intent to consume, any alcoholic liquor in or upon any street, alley, highway, public way, public building or public place within the city.

  (c)Underage persons. Whoever, being under the age of 21 years, has alcoholic liquor in his possession at any time, or consumes or is found to have consumed alcoholic liquor, shall be fined as provided for in Appendix F—Fees and Fines.  Fines not paid within 14 days of the day the fine was issued, including the day the fine was issued, shall be automatically doubled in amount.

Incident #: 50-14-12774      Date/Time: Thursday May 22, 2014  7:45Am (reported)

Location: E&J Liquors, 828 Forest Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating an overnight burglary at the E&J Liquor store located at 828 Forest Street.  Sometime between Wednesday, May 21st at 10:15PM and Thursday, May 22nd at 7:45AM, an unknown suspect gained entry into the business by forcing an air conditioning unit through a window.  The suspect then removed several bottles of liquor and cans of Bud Ice beer. The suspect then fled out the window with the items.  Anyone with any information is asked to call 302-736-7111.  Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at www.tipsubmit.com.