Month: October 2014

The following image contains the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notification for the City of Dover.  If there any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.

Click on image to enlarge.

Summary:
The Dover Police Department responded to 21 shoplifting calls between Noon on October 16th and Noon on October 23rd. Five of those calls were unfounded, bringing the total number of shoplifting cases to 16 for the week.  Of those 16 shoplifting complaints, a merchant declined prosecution in one, four are still under investigation, and arrests were made or warrants obtained in 11 cases. A total of 13 adults were arrested in those eleven cases which were cleared by arrests.

Incident #: 50-14-28627  Date/Time:  October 22, 2014 at 11:23PM

Location: Kings Highway and Division Street

Narrative:

A Dover man was arrested Wednesday night on drugs and weapon charges after fleeing from police in a vehicle.  Officers from the Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Kings Highway and Division Street, operated by Anthony Benson (34) after learning that he had an active capias for his arrest.  Benson then fled from the officers, leading them on a short vehicle pursuit that ended in the rear alley of Upland Avenue.  Benson then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended.  Officers discovered a .38 caliber revolver (loaded) and 3.6 grams of crack cocaine in the vehicle.  Benson is being held at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $42,510 secured bond on the following charges:

Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
Possession of Firearm Curing Commission of Felony
Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited
Possession With Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Reckless Endangering
Resisting Arrest
15 various traffic charged related to the pursuit

Information Released by Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

With the upcoming Halloween events around the City of Dover, the Dover Police Department would like to remind parents, children, and motorists to remain alert and keep safety a top priority during this Halloween season.  While we will have extra officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods on Halloween Night, it is important to take note of the safety tips we have provided below.

Trick or Treat Date/Times:

• Friday, October 31st 6:00PM-8:00PM

Motorist Safety Tips:

• Motorists are asked to drive with an abundance of caution and travel at a reduced speed in residential areas.
• Many children and adults will be walking through residential areas and depending on the availability of sidewalks, may be near or on the roadway.
• Be aware of children inadvertently darting across the street in the path of vehicles.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

• Children should NEVER go Trick or Treating alone.  They should be with a parent/guardian, or a group of friends at all times.
• Stay off of main roadways.
• Costumes should fit properly, with no loose/hanging items.
• Consider face paint instead of masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Trick or Treaters should carry a flashlight at all times.
• Utilize glow sticks and/or reflective tape/material attached to costumes and bags for added visibility.
• Before crossing the street, always look in both directions twice to make sure no vehicles are coming.
• Inspect all candy to ensure it is not tampered with, prior to consuming it.

Sex Offender Ordinance for Halloween Festivities:

The Dover Police Department Sex Offender Enforcement Unit would like to remind all offenders living within the City of Dover of the new ordinance that was passed this year in regards to Halloween/Holiday festivities.  The Dover Police Department will have extra officers on duty to ensure that offenders comply with the new ordinance, and be on the lookout for suspicious/unsafe activity. If there are any questions or concerns, or you would like to report a non-compliant offender, please notify the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.

70-7  Registered Sex Offenders

e)  Prohibited activities for sexual offenders.

(1)  It is unlawful for any sexual offender to participate in a holiday event or practice involving children under 18 years of age, such as distributing candy or other items to children on Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, or any other holiday or event. Participation is to be defined as attendance at, or taking part of, or cooperation with an event.

(2)  It is unlawful for any sexual offender to wear costumes for the primary purpose of entertaining, attracting, or encouraging interaction with children.

(3)Any person designated a sexual offender shall be required on October thirty-first of each year or any other day upon which Halloween is celebrated to:

a.  Avoid all Halloween related contact with children;

b.  Post a sign at his/her residence stating, “No candy or treats at this residence.” Such signs shall be in letters at least two inches high and shall be legible from the street or road adjacent to the residence;

c.  Except for lighting provided on a year round basis by a sexual offender or the owner or manager of a multi-family residential unit for the purpose of security or walkway or hallway illumination, all outside residential lighting shall be off during the evening hours after 5:00 p.m., and no exterior holiday decorations shall be exhibited on the sexual offender’s residence or on the property upon which the residence is located.

(4)  Holiday events or practices in which the sexual offender is the parent or guardian of the child or children involved, and where no non-familial children are present, are exempt from this section.

Despite all of the monsters and creatures roaming the city’s neighborhoods while Trick-or-Treating, they’re far from the scariest people on the roads during Halloween.  Drunk drivers put themselves and others at risk of injury, death, and arrest after getting behind the wheel after drinking too much.  Halloween events and parties throughout the area only add to the problem of drunk driving.  In 2013, there were 34 DUI arrests made in Kent County between October 25th and November 3rd.  The Dover Police Department will be deploying extra officers on Halloween night and throughout the weekend, as well as asking patrol officers to enhance DUI enforcement efforts during this time in order to help keep our roadways safe.  The following statistics and tips were provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety    Administration (NHTSA):

• In 2012, almost half (48%) of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities on Halloween night (6 p.m. October 31 to 5:59 a.m. November 1) involved a drunk driver. In 2012 alone, 26 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night.
• These numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that drunk driving is more prevalent on Halloween compared with the rest of the year.
• Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, and drunk driving is illegal. The legal and financial costs of driving while impaired can be significant. Drunk drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.
• What’s worse is that the consequences of drinking and driving could be taking someone else’s life or your own. Every year in America, thousands of people are killed by the selfish, preventable decision to drive drunk. In 2012, there were 10,322 people killed in drunk-driving crashes—a third of all crash fatalities.
• The minimum legal drinking age is 21 years. Young people (ages 21-34) make up the largest group of drunk drivers in fatal crashes. Even more shocking: in 2012, almost a fifth (18%) of the drivers under age 21 in fatal crashes were drunk, which is illegal in every State.
• Imagine the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the possibility of taking someone’s life. It doesn’t have to be a reality. Designate a sober driver. Before the Halloween parties begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
• Always designate a sober driver, even if you only plan to “have a few.” Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.
• If you are drunk, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact local law enforcement. It is your business—you could save a life.
• If you’re at a Halloween party and see someone who is about to drive or ride drunk, take their keys and help them find a safe ride to where they are going. If the person says they’re not drunk, just remind them that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

Incident #: 50-14-28111  Date/Time:  October 17, 2014 at 2:31PM

Location: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dover Mall, 1365 North DuPont Highway

Narrative:
Dover Police have obtained warrants for Stephon Rivera (19) in connection with a shoplifting case where nearly $4,000 worth of Northface brand jackets were stolen.  According to store employees Rivera entered Dick’s Sporting Goods with an unknown suspect.  As the suspect’s roamed the store, the employee identified Rivera as being on the Dover Police Weekly Shoplifting Post for the week of October 9th-October 16th.  The employee had printed the post and checked to be certain it was Rivera.  When an employee offered to assist the suspects, Rivera quickly declined the offer and continued to roam the store with the other suspect.  A short time later, the suspects removed a total of 30 Northface brand jackets valued at $131.90 each for a total of $3957.00 and fled into a silver color Honda, then fleeing the parking lot.  Anyone with information about this incident or the whereabouts of Stephon Rivera 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 this information:
Cpl. Mark Hoffman
Public Information Officer

Incident #: 50-14-28348  Date/Time:  Between October 17-October 19, 2014

Location: 150 Building of Clearfield Apts, Haman Drive, Dover, DE 19901

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred in the 150 building of Clearfield Apartments over the weekend.  The victim left Friday, October 17th and upon his return on Sunday, October 19th, observed that the rear door of his residence was open and was forcibly opened, causing damage to the door jamb and surrounding frame.  A rear window and screen were also damaged.  Once inside, the unknown suspect(s) removed the following items:
-55″ television
-Toshiba laptop computer
-Gateway laptop computer
-Dell laptop computer
-XBOX and Wii Game Consoles with games/accessories
-2 black powder revolvers
-1 double barrel shotgun
-clarinet

The Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit is currently investigating this case and is asking for anyone with information to come forward.  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 this information:
Cpl. Mark Hoffman
Public Information Officer
302-736-7130

Incident #: 50-14-28269  Date/Time:  October 19, 2014, 12:58AM

Location: American Legion, 835 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a late night shooting that took place at the American Legion on Bay Road.  On Sunday, October 19th at approximately 12:58AM, officers responded to the American Legion for a report of several shots fired.  Upon arrival, officers observed several spent 9mm shell casings on  the north-east side of the parking lot, near a picnic area, as well as 9mm and .380 shell casings on the north-west side, indicating that gunfire was exchanged between at least two parties.  During the exchange of gunfire, a 26-year-old male was shot in the left hip.  The victim is currently listed in serious but stable condition.  While officers were attempting to clear the parking lot of remaining persons, an officer was standing next to an occupied vehicle when a gunshot was fired from within the vehicle.  The officer, who was unharmed, immediately took the occupants of the vehicle into custody with aid from other Dover officers.  Officers then located a black Jennings 9mm handgun in the rear of the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed that Darnell Waples (30) was in possession of the gun and fired it accidentally as he was trying to conceal it in the vehicle.  This incident is still under investigation with further charges pending the outcome of ballistics analysis.

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 this information:
Cpl. Mark Hoffman
Public Information Officer
302-736-7130