Month: August 2014

Incident #: 50-14-22078     Date/Time: August 21st, 2014 at 4:38PM

Location: S. New Street/Division Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:

On August 21, 2014 at 1638 hours the City of Dover Police Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit and the Dover Police Safe Streets Unit contacted defendant Anthony Price (23) and Defendant Shayquan Sampson (22) on the corner of S. New Street and W. Division Street in Dover. The pair were found to be in possession of 205 separate bags of heroin packaged for sale. Defendant Price also had $947.00 in united state currency in his possession. Both Defendants were processed and then arraigned at JP#7. Defendant Price was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in default of $5,500.00 secured bond. Defendant Sampson was released on $3,500.00 unsecured bond.

Officer Releasing this Information:

Lt. David E. Spicer

302-535-2827 (c)

Incident #: 50-14-22077     Date/Time: August 21st, 2014 at 4:37PM

Location: New Street/Division Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department’s Safe Streets Division arrested a Dover man after leading officers on a brief foot chase downtown on Thursday afternoon.  Diandre Willis (23) of Dover, was wanted for  Violation of Probation.  When officers attempted to contact Wills, he fled running through backyards and damaging a private fence, before being captured in the unit block of South Governors Avenue.  A search of Willis led to the discovery of a silver .380 handgun which was loaded.  Officers also discovered 8 bags of heroin weighing .12 grams total. Willis was arraigned and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in default of $44,600 secured bail.

Officer Releasing Information: Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Incident #: 50-14-21840     Date/Time: August 19th, 2014 at 1521 PM

Location: S. Bradford street North of Reed St (Traffic Stop), Dover, DE

Narrative:

On August 19, 2014 at 1521 hours members of the City of Dover Police Department Operations Safe Streets Unit conducted a vehicle stop on S. Bradford Street just north of Reed Street in Dover, Delaware for a traffic violation. As officers contacted the operator/ Defendant Deon Maestre (28) a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a Safe Streets Officer located a black backpack containing 18 separate clear plastic sandwich bags containing marijuana. A total  weight was 357.6 grams of marijuana was seized and placed into evidence. Officers also seized the defendant’s 2006 Chevrolet Impala. Defendant Maestre was arraigned at JP#7 and released on $200.00 unsecured bond.

Officer Releasing this Information:

Lt. David E. Spicer

302-535-2827 (c)

The Dover Police Department responded to 29 complaints of shoplifting at various retailers from August 14, 2014 through August 21, 2014.  At the time of this release, 10 arrests were made, 3 suspects have shoplifting warrants for their arrest, 12 are currently under investigation, and 4 were unfounded.  As depicted in the below image, 2 of the arrests involved juvenile suspects.  Next week’s arrests will include arrests from August 21st through August 28th. For more information on the department’s goals of this program, CLICK HERE.

Update:
Aaron Brown, the suspect in Sunday afternoons shooting on New Street that left one man injured, has been arrested.  The Wilmington, DE Police Department contacted Brown in the area of West 4th Street and Rodney Street for a call of suspicious activity.  Once the officer contacted Brown, he provided a fake name and stated he did not have identification on him.  After a brief investigation, the officer learned Brown was lying and was able to get the correct information and learned Brown was wanted by Dover Police for the shooting incident.  A search of Brown led to the discovery of 3.8 grams of crack cocaine.  In addition to the charges from the Dover Police Department, Brown now faces the following charges from Wilmington Police Department:
-Possession With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance with Aggravating Factor (within 300 feet of a church)
-Criminal Impersonation
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Loitering for Drug Activity

Brown is currently awaiting arraignment and bond information is not available.

Incident #: 50-14-21611     Date/Time: August 17th, 2014 at 4:57PM

Location: 100 Block of South New Street, Dover, DE

Narrative: Dover Police are searching for Aaron Brown (34), of Dover, for the shooting of a man in broad daylight, late Sunday afternoon.  Police responded to the 100 block of South New Street for shots fired to find a 22-year-old victim shot in the leg in the area of South New Street and Reed Street.  The victim was uncooperative with officers investigating the shooting, however several witnesses in the area, along with video surveillance led to the identification of Brown as the suspect in the shooting.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 or  call the Delaware Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-Tip-3333 or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.

Officer Releasing Information: Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Update:
Jennifer Bell, wanted on numerous charges stemming from thefts of cash and credit cards belonging to her grandmother, has turned herself in.  bell turned herself in to the Dover Police Department early Tuesday afternoon and was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7.  She was released on $4,500 unsecured bond.

Incident #: 50-14-14912     Date/Time:  May 7-June 10, 2014

Narrative:  Police are seeking a woman involved in the theft of cash and unlawful use of credit cards belonging to her 85-year-old grandmother.  Jennifer Bell (42) took her grandmothers ATM card and over the course of several days, withdrew $1,800.00 in cash from Dover area ATM’s without the victims consent.  Once the victim noticed the withdraws, she notified Dover Police.  Bell allegedly confessed the theft to her grandmother as well.  During the investigation it was also discovered that Bell and her boyfriend, Bradley Zahner, made numerous purchases  from the Dover lowe’s using the victims Lowe’s Visa card to purchase over $1,300.00 in merchandise.  The victim had given Zahner her Lowe’s card to make purchases for a landscaping job she asked him to complete.  However, Zahner and Bell used the card for unauthorized purchases.

Zahner has since turned himself in to the Dover Police Department and accepted a plea deal on the case.  However, Jennifer Bell has refused to turn herself in to the department after numerous attempts.  It is believed that bell may be staying near the Marydel area. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 or  call the Delaware Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-Tip-3333 or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.

 Officer Releasing Information:  Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

With the help of a grant obtained by the Parkway Academy, the Dover Police Department has added another School Resource Officer (SRO) to their youth division, bringing the total number of officers in the unit to four.  Learn more about the Dover Police Department’s Youth Division and the officers below:

Parkway Academy-Pfc. Terrence Knight
Patrolman First Class Terrence Knight will be assigned to the Parkway Academy, located in the Duncan Depot, as a full time officer for the school that is responsible for the education of 200 children.  The Parkway Academy Central is  an alternative discipline school that provides a  comprehensive program of individualized educational, psychological  and social services to youths who have been recommended for an alternative school  placement.
Email: terrence.knight@cj.state.de.us

Central Middle School-MCpl. Keith Hester
Master Corporal Keith Hester will once again patrol the halls of Central Middle School where he is well known as “Officer Keith.”  Hester is an Enrique Camarena Award Winner for his efforts in youth outreach and drug/crime prevention in the schools.
Email: Keith.hester@cj.state.de.us

Dover High School–Cpl. Demetrius Stevenson
Corporal Demetrius Stevenson’s location may change, but the school remains the same.  Stevenson will once again be assigned to the Dover High School, tasked with patrolling the massive new high school on the west side of the city.  Stevenson also aids in coaching several athletic programs, participates in extra-curricular activities with students, and has a unique way of connecting with a wide range of students that has led to his popularity among students.
Email: demetrius.stevenson@cj.state.de.us

Gang Resistance Education And Training-Cpl. Michael Konnick
Corporal Michael Konnick will once again return to William Henry Middle School, instructing sixth graders in the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.).  G.R.E.A.T.  is an evidence-based and effective gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula. The Program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior.  The G.R.E.A.T. Program offers a continuum of components for students and their families that focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid using delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.  When not teaching, Cpl. Konnick will visit elementary schools in the City of Dover and handle school-related criminal complaints.
Email: michael.konnick@cj.state.de.us

As area colleges welcome students back to campus, the Dover Police Department typically sees an increase in loud party complaints and underage drinking violations.  The department has taken a zero tolerance approach to these quality of life violations in previous years and is issuing a warning to college students that this year will be no different.

Parties/Loud Noise
The department is reminding the public that audible music and bass outside of 50 feet is illegal and can result in fines ranging from $50-$107.  If a person is renting a residence and receives 2 or more noise violations within a 12 month period, they are subject to mandatory eviction as well.  Violators may also be charged with Disorderly Conduct and/or other applicable criminal charges.

Underage Drinking/Alcohol Violations
It is no secret that alcohol use is a major concern on college campuses across the country.  The department will proactively enforce all alcohol violations to include underage drinking, providing alcohol to underage persons, open containers, and other applicable state laws/city ordinances.  Open container violations can result in a minimum of a $25.00 fine and underage drinking violations begin at $100.00.  Other associated acts such as littering, lour parties, disorderly conduct, and lewdness will also be heavily enforced.

Parking
The Dover Police Department requests that students new to the area, particularly those attending Wesley College, to be mindful of the parking signs in the downtown areas.  On weekday nights, there is no parking permitted on certain street sides to allow for cleaning.  Each street is clearly marked with signs providing the days and times parking is not permitted.  Violators will be ticketed and fines will increase if not paid on time.

The department will heavily enforce these violations, especially in the downtown college and residential districts.  Students cited or arrested for ANY criminal violation or city ordinance violation are also subject to disciplinary proceedings by their school.  While the department wishes for each student to SAFELY enjoy their college experience in the capital city, we must ensure students do so without disturbing the quality of life for the residents around them.