Day: May 5, 2014

Incident #: 50-14-10842         Date/Time: Friday, May 2nd at 4:33PM

Location:  Leipsic Road/North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative: A Dover man is facing multiple charges after a series of DUI related motor vehicle accidents on Friday afternoon.  On May 2nd, at 4:33PM officers responded to the area of Leipsic Road and North DuPont Highway for a report of a white pick up truck that had struck a vehicle and fled the area.  Officers observed a white Chevrolet Silverado, belonging to Taylor Mereider (25) that matched the description of the vehicle given by multiple witnesses and victims with heavy front end damage.  Further investigation by officers revealed that Mereider, while operating the truck,had struck a maroon Nissan Rogue from behind, while traveling at a high rate of speed on Leipsic Road.  The truck then turned into the parking lot of Sunoco (837 North DuPont Highway).  Mereider then struck a white Nissan Sentra that was in the parking lot, a curb, and  a light pole.  The Nissan Rogue then parked behind Mereider’s truck in the parking lot of Sunoco and the front passenger attempted to exit the vehicle.  At this time, Mereider then reversed his vehicle into the front of the end Rogue, striking it for a second time.  The truck then fled eastbound on Leipsic Road, and was found a short time later in the 2000 block of Leipsic Road with Mereider standing near the vehicle.  Mereider had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person and officers also observed numerous empty beer cans in the passenger compartment of the truck.  Mereider was taken to Bayhealth for a blood analysis to determine his alcohol content and charged with DUI.  All three occupants of the Nissan Rouge suffered injuries as a result of Mereider’s actions and were treated and released at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.  A 22-year-old male was treated for a head/neck injury, a 26-year-old female was treated for a face/head injury, and a 64-year-old male was treated for arm/shoulder pain. 

Dover Police Hosts “How to Succeed” Seminar 

The Dover Police Department’s Planning and Training Unit will hold a “How to Succeed in the Hiring Process” seminar for police applicants in the 2014 testing cycle.  The seminar will take place on Friday, May 16th at 7:00PM in the Dover Police Department’s Public Assembly Room.  Applications will also be accepted at the seminar for those who have not submitted their application yet.  Applicants will learn the details of the applicant testing process, including details such as the physical test requirements, written exam, oral board interviews, and the background check process.  The seminar is NOT mandatory for applicants, but attendance is encouraged.  If there are nay questions, contact Sgt. Kevin Kober at 302-736-7116 or via email: kevin.kober@cj.state.de.us

APPLICATION DEADLINE SET

Applications for the 2014 testing cycle are due by 3:00PM on May 23rd, 2014.

Applicant testing for the 2014 testing cycle is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th at 8:00AM on both days.  Applicants will perform the physical test at the Dover High School track located at 1 Pat Lynn Drive, Dover, DE 19904.  Upon passing the physical testing process, applicants will report to the Dover Police Department’s Public Assembly Room for the written examination.  Only applicants who have submitted their applications prior to the May 23rd, 2014  deadline will be eligible to test for the 2014 testing cycle.For more information please contact Sgt. Kober at 302-736-7116 or at: kevin.kober@cj.state.de.us.

Incident #: 50-14-11096         Date/Time: Monday, May 5th at 9:06AM

Location:  WSFS Bank, 1486 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE

Narrative: It took less than 30 minutes for the Dover Police Department to make an arrest in an early morning bank robbery of the WSFS bank on Monday, May 5th.  At approximately 9:06AM, James Wilkerson (33), of Dover, entered the main lobby of the WSFS bank wearing all black clothing with a black mask covering his entire face.  Wilkerson quickly approached a teller and pointed a .357 revolver and demanded money.  The teller complied and the suspect fled from the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.  Witnesses in the bank advised officers that the suspect ran northbound across Route 8, towards Country Club Apartments.  Bank employees also advised that the suspect had a Hispanic accent.  Dover officers arrived on scene within one minute of the 9-1-1 call from the bank advising them of the robbery.  As officers set up a perimeter in the area, they observed loose money in the various parking lots and courtyards of the apartment complex.  Shortly after, officers observed a Hispanic male (later identified as Wilkerson) throw a black piece of clothing material into a dumpster at Country Club Apartments.  Officers immediately contacted  Wilkerson and searched the dumpster, recovering the mask used in the robbery.  Wilkerson also had on black pants at the time.  A search of Wilkerson revealed red dye on his ankle from the dye-pack exploding.  Further investigation revealed that Wilkerson lived in a building at Brandywine Court Apartments.  A later search of that apartment led to the discovery of the money (stained red) within the apartment as well as the handgun used in the robbery.  Wilkerson is prohibited from owning a handgun based on a 2nd Degree Assault conviction from 2007.

There were no injuries to bank employees or customers during the incident.

The following images were taken from the WSFS surveillance system