Month: August 2014

Incident #: 50-14-20843     Date/Time: Between 8/8/14 6:18PM – 8/9/14 11:30AM

Location:  218 Bay Tree Road, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary of a maintenance area belonging to Bay Tree Apartments.  Between Friday, August 8th at 6:18PM and Saturday, August 9th at 11:30AM, an unknown suspect(s) entered the apartment complex fitness center, possibly through an unsecured door.  Once inside, the suspect(s) attempted to gain entry into the maintenance shop by prying open a door, causing nearly $1,300 damage to the double steel door.  When prying the door failed, the suspect(s) removed the door from the hinges and stole a window air conditioning unit from the room and fled with same.

Crimes:
-Burglary 3rd Degree
-Theft
-Criminal Mischief
-Possession of Burglary Tools

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

Incident #: 50-14-20684     Date/Time:  Thursday, August 7th, 2014 at 5:33PM

Location: 400 Block of East Water Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:
An 18-year-old Dover woman was arrested Thursday evening after she assaulted a 16-year-old female family member.  Alyahia Durham (18) was angered by a family members comments made online about a mutual family member.  Durham went to a residence that the victim was visiting and attempted to fight the victim.  The victim refused to participate in a fight with Durham.  Durham then attempted to drag the victim out of the residence by her hair, but failed to do so.  Durham then attacked her on the couch in the residence, punching her in the head/face numerous times, causing the victim injury.  Durham was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree and 1st Degree Trespassing.  She was released on $1100.00 secured bond by Justice of the Peace Court 7.

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

Incident #: 50-14-20987     Date/Time:  Monday, August 11th, 2014 at 4:00AM

Location: Tudor Industrial Park, S. Little Creek Road, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating an early morning carjacking that occurred on S. Little Creek Road at the Tudor Industrial Park.  The victim, a 22 year old male, was supposed to meet a female acquaintance in the Manchester Square development, located off of White Oak Road at 4:00AM.  A male subject, later identified as Robert Sanders, approached the victim and the two agreed on giving Sanders a ride to the Tudor Industrial Park.  Once there, Sanders displayed a black handgun and ordered the victim from his vehicle.  The victim exited the vehicle and fled the area, notifying the police department a short time later.  Sanders was last seen operating the stolen vehicle, a 2007 Mercury Milan (gold), westbound on S. Little Creek Road, towards US Rt 113.  The vehicle has an unknown New Jersey registration.
Warrants have been obtained for Robert Sanders for the following charges: Carjacking 1st Degree, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon.  Sanders is also wanted on four counts of 4th Degree Rape by the Dover Police Department on an unrelated incident that involved a 15-year-old female victim.  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

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
DE Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security
and
Dover Police Department

 Date: August 7, 2014                                     

 Division of Forensic Science Takes Possession of Unclaimed Cremains Located in Former Dover Funeral Home

The discovery of several small containers of cremains at a former Dover funeral home prompted the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security Division of Forensic Science (DFS) and the Dover Police Department to conduct an exploratory excavation on the property on Wednesday.

Last week, DFS responded to a request to check the former Minus Funeral Home after 38 small containers of cremains were discovered inside the building located at 222 North Queen Street.  Of the 38 containers, 33 were clearly marked and identified.  These marked containers of cremains span a period from approximately 1970 through the 1990s. Nine of these were identified as victims of the 1978 Jonestown Massacre.

DFS took possession of all cremains that were located on the site. Staff will continue working to identify the remaining cremains and make notifications to family members or arrangements for a final disposition.

While DFS checked the facility, Dover police officers who accompanied them identified other areas of interest on the property. These were areas of loosely compacted soil.  The exploratory excavation was conducted to determine if additional unclaimed cremains were on the property so that they could be identified and returned to family.  During the excavation, DFS staff discovered an arrowhead, two animal bones, oyster shells and charcoals.

Several bronze gravesite markers for deceased veterans who served in World War I through the Vietnam War were also located in the facility during the initial DFS check. These markers will be presented to family members if they can be located or returned to the Veterans Administration.

The New Castle County Police Department also assisted DFS and Dover PD with the excavation.`

Kimberly H. Chandler
Delaware Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security
P.O. Box 818
303 Transportation Circle
Dover, DE 19903
302.744.2667 (office)
302-632.7060 (cell)

Mark A. Hoffman
Public Information Officer/Public Affairs
400 S. Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
302-736-7130 (office)
302-222-5969(cell)

Incident #: 50-14-20537      Date/Time:  Tuesday, August 5th, 2014 at 11:57 PM

Location: Capital Green Housing Development (Area of East Water Street/New Castle Avenue), Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a late night shooting in the Capital Green neighborhood.  The incident occurred Tuesday night at approximately 11:57 PM when numerous callers reported to the Dover 911 Center that they heard numerous shots fired.  Responding officers arrived on scene to find that the suspects had fled the area, but recovered a total of 31 shell casings in the area.  As of this release there has been no reported victims or damage to personal property.  Witnesses reported a tan or grey Dodge Charger or Challenger seen fleeing the area that was involved in the shooting incident.  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

Incident #: 50-14-20412      Date/Time:  Monday, August 4th, 2014 at 10:10PM

Location: Capital Green Housing Development (Area of Basketball Courts), Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating a Monday night robbery of two local teens in the Capital Green Housing Development, by five members of a local gang.  On Monday at approximately 10:10PM, the two victims (Ages 15 & 16) were riding their bikes in the area of the basketball courts in the Capital Green Housing Complex.  The victims advised officers that they were quickly surrounded by five male suspects who began to yell gang related statements and displaying possible gang signs.  One suspect threw a bicycle at one of the victims, while another suspect displayed a black handgun to rob the victims.  One victim attempted to flee the area but was taken to the ground by one of the suspects.  All five suspects punched and kicked that victim until he lost consciousness for a brief period.  The suspects then stole both victims bicycles and fled the area.  The Dover Police Department is currently seeking three suspects, with two being apprehended since the incident.  Please see photos below for suspect identities, photos, charges, and arrest status.

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

The Dover Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15 has announced the date for its 7th Annual Golf Tournament.  On Thursday, September 11th officers from the Dover Police Department will hold its annual tournament at Jonathan’s Landing in Magnolia, DE to equally benefit area children’s hospitals and the Fraternal Order of Police Officer in Distress fund.  The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15 is comprised of current and retired Dover Police Officers.  The Dover police officers in this lodge chose to split the proceeds of this years tournament with half going towards the purchase of toys, games, and necessities of hospitalized children at area hospitals.  The other half will benefit the Officer in Distress fund.  This fund assists officers and families of officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty, suffering from illnesses, and/or other sudden/traumatic situations.  The Fraternal Order of Police also supports several area charities, programs, youth programs, and offers scholarship opportunities.  “We all took this job as police officers to help the public.  Our F.O.P. should also share that thought and supporting charities and programs in our area is a perfect way to show that our officers care even when the badge comes off” said Jordan Miller (F.O.P. Lodge 15 Secretary/Tournament Organizer).  Miller also added “Our lodge represents the men and women who protect, serve, and represent our city every day.  It’s only right that we too, invest in our community.”  The tournament will be held on Thursday, September 11th with registration beginning at 9:30AM and a shotgun start at 11:00AM.  Prizes will be awarded to 1st-3rd place finishers and “closest to the pin” and “longest drive” winners.  Lunch and beverages will be provided at the course with a dinner at Frazier’s Restaurant in Dover following the tournament where winners will be announced.  There will also be raffle prizes and a silent auction at Frazier’s.  The lodge is currently accepting team registrations and is seeking additional sponsors.  Please see the below images for tournament and contact information.

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