Day: May 1, 2014

Incident #: 50-14-10569         Date/Time: Wednesday, April 30, b/t 1:00AM-1:18AM

Location: 313 West Loockerman Street (Caribbean Cuisine), Dover

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating an early morning burglary of a downtown business.  On Wednesday, April 30th, between the hours of 1:00AM and 1:18AM an unknown suspect entered the Caribbean Cuisine establishment through a side window.  Once inside the business, the suspect removed the register drawer containing an undisclosed amount of cash, the security DVR, Ipod touch, and a Sony speaker.  The suspect then fled the business through the front door.  Anyone with any information about the incident should contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. You may also submit an anonymous tip with Delaware Crime Stoppers by phone at: 1-800-847-3333 or online at: http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Incident #: 50-14-10626         Date/Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 4:30PM

Location: 700 Block North West Street, Dover, DE 19904

Narrative:  On Wednesday, April 30th at approximately 4:30PM, officers from the Dover Police Department responded to a residence in the 700 Block of North West Street for a report of a domestic altercation.  Upon arrival, officers learned from the victim’s mother that David Kimmick (49) was intoxicated and punched her adult daughter in the face.  The incident was the result of an argument between the family members in which Kimmick threatened to kill both victims.  Officers then attempted to contact Kimmick, who had locked himself in the residence.  Officers continued to make attempts to contact Kimmick for several minutes before he complied and came to the front door of the residence.  At this point, officers began to explain their reason for contacting Kimmick and his family and he attempted to shut the door on the officers.  Dover officers then attempted to take David Kimmick into custody, and he forcibly struggled with the officers in an effort to prevent his arrest.  During this struggle, Kimmick attempted on three separate occasions, to remove one of the officers department issued firearm from the holster in an attempt to disarm the officer.  The officer was able to fight off Kimmick’s efforts and was eventually taken to the ground and taken into police custody.  Kimmick was admitted to a local hospital to undergo an evaluation for a medical condition and will be officially charged upon his release.

No photo is available at this time. 

Pending Charges:

• Assault 3rd Degree
• Terroristic Threatening (2x)
• Resisting Arrest with Force (Felony)
• Removing/Attempt to Remove a Firearm from the Possession of a L.E. Officer

Incident #: 50-14-10616         Date/Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 3:00PM

Location: Parkway Academy School Bus

Narrative:  The Dover Police Department has identified the suspects in an assault captured on video that occurred on a Parkway Academy school bus on Tuesday afternoon.  The video, which quickly went viral on social media sites, depicts four male juveniles assaulting a single 15-year-old male juvenile while traveling on a school bus.  The juvenile victim did not suffer any serious injuries as a result of the assault.  The Dover Police Department with the cooperation of the Parkway Academy was able to positively identify the suspects involved in the assault as well as the person who recorded the video.  Each suspect will be charged with 3rd degree assault and 3rd degree conspiracy.

• Brandon Horton of Milford (Age: 16) (Arrested 4-30-14)
• Tyrek Lowther of Milford (Age: 15)
• Donald Pierre of Milford (Age: 17)
• Tracy Matthews of Magnolia (Age: 17)
• Brenden Harmon of Frederica (Age: 15) (Recorded the Video)

The Dover Police Department will not release photos or addresses of the suspects because they are juveniles.

Parkway Academy- Central issued a statement about the incident on Thursday afternoon:

“Parkway Academy-Central is deeply saddened and concerned by the recent incident that took place on Tuesday involving an act of violence by some of our students on one of our school buses.  We have identified the students involved, have been in communication with all families, and have been working closely with both Dover police and local school districts to process appropriate disciplinary action and ensure that all of our students are safe. Currently, the school bus driver has been placed on administrative leave pending results of the investigation into this incident.   As the highest performing alternative school in Delaware, Parkway Central has a proven track record of helping to successfully transform hundreds of at-risk youth to make better, more positive decisions.This includes working with a small student to staff ratio, strong disciplinary and restorative practices and evidenced-based counseling for all students. Our dedicated staff are committed to teaching, modeling, and holding youth accountable for their actions.  The safety of our students is our absolute priority in addition to transforming their lives.

Original Release: While monitoring social media activity, the Dover Police Department discovered an extremely disturbing video of a brutal assault on a juvenile while on a school bus, traveling home from the Central Parkway Academy in Dover. At this time, the department has launched an extensive investigation into the incident and will utilize any resources needed to hold the suspects responsible. WE WILL NOT BE RELEASING THE VIDEO OF THIS INCIDENT despite it being shared across social media outlets. If you have any information or can identify the students involved in the incident, please contact 302-736-7111 or through the contact section of our website: http://www.doverpolice.org 

A screen grab from the video is shown here:

It is with great pride that the Dover Police Department and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1903 (Dover),  announce that Master Corporal Keith Hester is the 2013 recipient of the coveted Enrique Camarena Award for the Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia district.  The award is named after Enrique Camarena, a DEA Agent who was murdered by a Mexican drug cartel while investigating drug trafficking into the United Sates.  Camarena was captured and brutally tortured by the cartel and eventually murdered in 1985.  His death precipitated the start of the Red Ribbon Campaign that was started by the Camarena family and friends as a tribute to the slain agent and continues to serve as a reminder to all of the dangers of substance abuse.  The Enrique Camarena Award was established by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to recognize and honor law enforcement officers nationwide who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.

The criteria and guidelines for the award include:

• Must be an individual, not an organization
• Must be law enforcement professional
• Must be a positive role model committed to a healthy lifestyle
• Must go beyond normal responsibilities of their position
• Must demonstrate how they help youth
• Must demonstrate leadership and organizational abilities

MCpl. Keith Hester has clearly shown all of these qualities during his 25-year career with the City of Dover Police Department and is a true hero to the youth in the community.  Hester has spent 20 years of his career with the department’s Youth Division.  He is a two-time winner of the “Officer of the Year” award and three-time winner of “Officer of the Quarter.”  Hester was also a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for five years and is currently a School Resource officer at Central Middle School where he ia affectionately known as “Officer Keith.”

Hester is also involved with the “Shell Fuel for Success” program.  This program gives under privileged youth the opportunity to attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.  Every year, for the last five years, Hester has taken 40 students to Dover International Speedway for each Sprint Cup race.  Hester also went out of his way to secure funding to purchase four XBOX 360 systems to organize a competition among the children with the NASCAR video game.  Hester takes the children on a guided tour of the pit area, meet and greet with the drivers, and a close up look at the race cars and garage areas.  Hester is currently planning the NASCAR trip for the Spring 2014 race.

MCpl. Hester is also heavily involved in school activities at the Central Middle School.  You can often spot Hester on the sidelines of a football game, assisting the coaches and constantly motivating the children.  He has also been a wrestling coach at Central Middle School for the last six years.  Hester seeks no compensation for his time and does this on his own time for no other reason than he genuinely cares for the youth in the Dover community.  Hester has been known to provide rides to and from school/extracurricular activities to ensure that children attend and participate.  He has been generous enough to contribute towards the payment for athletic physicals and sporting equipment with his own money when families cannot afford the added expense and encourages involvement in all extracurricular activities.

Finally, when school is out for summer break, Hester runs the Dover Police Youth Academy.  Hester selects several children to attend the academy and learn about police work, even providing hands-on experience.  The kids participate in academy style physical training, basic criminal law, and details of the day-to-day tasks the department and its officers perform.  This not only helps to keep kids off the streets during a time when school is not in session, but inspires them to become better people and set career goals at a young age.

Keith Hester clearly exemplifies the definition of a role model and is nothing short of a hero in our community.  He continues to find ways to connect with children and direct them down the right path in life, keeping them away from the drugs, gangs, and violence that youth can find themselves involved in.  Hester is a true inspiration to the youth in the Dover community and to his fellow officers at the Dover Police Department.  The Dover Police Department is proud and honored that Hester is a part of our team.

Hester will be honored with the Enrique Camarena Award on June 14, 2014 at the Elks State Convention Dinner in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Quote from Chief Paul Bernat:

“It is a privilege to work with officers that have such dedication like MCpl. Keith Hester.  Hester has been a hard-working, selfless officer during his entire 25-year career and deserves the honor of being awarded the Enrique Camarena Award.”