Month: December 2014

Summary:
The Dover Police Department responded to 36 shoplifting calls between Noon on December 18th and Noon on December 31st (2 weeks).  Of those 36 shoplifting complaints, eight were unfounded, one business declined prosecution, ten are still under investigation, and arrests were made/warrants obtained in 17 cases. A total of 20 adults were arrested or are wanted for shoplifting during this period.  Five juveniles were also arrested during this two week period.  After the final shoplifting notification on January 2nd, 2015 the Dover Police Department will compile statistics since the notification program began and compare them to 2012 and 2013 numbers to determine if there was any success in reducing shoplifting incidents.

Incident #: 50-14-35146      Date/Time:  Sunday, December 28th, 2014 at 10:37PM

Location: Dover Downs Hotel/Casino, 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:
Dover Police took 403 bags of heroin off the streets Sunday night after arresting two subjects involved in a drug transaction at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino.  Officers responded to the casino for a report of a white female asking customers for painkiller medication.  As Dover Downs Casino Security conducted video surveillance of the woman, while awaiting police arrival, they observed a black male suspect conduct a transaction with the female in which a clear plastic baggie containing a white powder was exchanged.  Officers arrived and contacted the female (Christina Ligameri, 20).  Upon further investigation it was discovered that Ligameri was in possession of 403 baggies of heroin, with a total weight of 6.045 grams.  Dover Downs Security continued video surveillance of the male suspect (Mustafe Whitfield, 29) inside the casino.  Officers contacted Whitfield who was in possession of brass knuckles and Ligameri’s wallet and Delaware ID card.

Incident #: 50-14-35124      Date/Time:  Sunday, December 28th, 2014 at 3:30PM

Location: North West Street at Fulton Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department has pending charges against a 42-year-old Dover man after he attempted to rob a 20-year-old male victim Sunday afternoon.  The victim was walking in the area of North West Street and Fulton Street when he was approached by Michael Hackett, who demanded the victim gave him all his money.  When the victim refused to comply, Hackett punched the victim in the face, causing a laceration to his left eye.  A fight ensued and Hackett pulled a 10″ hunting knife.  As the two struggled for the knife, the victim suffered defensive lacerations to his hand.  Hackett received a puncture wound to the chest.  Both parties were taken to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where the victim was treated and released for his injuries, while Hackett is currently hospitalized for treatment of his injury.

Hackett faces the following charges upon his release:

• Robbery 1st Degree
• Assault 2nd Degree
• Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
• Possession of Deadly Weapon During Commission of Felony
• Possession of Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited

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

Incident #: 50-14-35142   Date: Sunday, December 28th, 2014 at 10:15PM

Location:  Hazletville Road/West North Street, Dover, DE

Narrative:
Officers from the Safe Street and Dover Police Street Crimes Unit arrested Duante Morrison (22) during a traffic stop on Sunday night. At approximately 10:15PM, officers stopped a vehicle and identified the rear passenger as Duante Morrison.  Morrison was wanted for Robbery 1st Degree and other charges from an August 4th incident.  While Morrison was being taken into custody, he attempted to remove an item from his waistband.  Officers quickly took control of Morrison and discovered the item to be a .22 caliber handgun, which was fully loaded.  In addition to the charges from the August 5th Robbery, Morrison was charges with Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, and Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony.  Morrison was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in default of $116,000 Secured Bond.

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

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

Incident #: 50-14-34535   Date: Saturday, December 20th, 2014 at 5:10PM

Location:  Tienda Latina, 720 Townsend Blvd, Dover, DE

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred Saturday afternoon at Tienda Latina, at 720 Townsend Boulevard.  At approximately 5:10PM, an unknown black male suspect entered the business, armed with a 6″ kitchen knife.  the suspect jumped the counter and used the knife in an attempt to force the clerk to open the cash registers.  After several failed attempts, the suspect fled out the front of the business and towards Townsend Boulevard.  The suspect was described as a dark skin black male, 5’6″-5’8″, and wearing all black clothing.  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 http://www.tipsubmit.com.

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

The Dover Police Department arrested two out of state fugitives on Sunday night at the Mainstay Suites located at 201 Stover Boulevard, Dover. At 10:14PM, the Dover Police Department received information that Briana Mitchell (41) and Leonard Bernard (35), of Philadelphia, were staying in a room at the Mainstay Suites.  Both were wanted by the West Whiteland Township Police Department in Pennsylvania, for the home invasion/robbery of an elderly victim.  Officers from the patrol unit responded and verified the pair was staying at the hotel and with the assistance of the Dover Police Street Crimes Unit and a Dover Police K-9 Unit, took the pair into custody without incident.  Both parties were charged with “Out of State Fugitive” and are being held on secured bond pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

Mugshots were not available for the suspects at the time of release.

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