Month: May 2015

The Dover Police Department will hold a 3:30PM press conference at the Dover Police Department Public Assembly Room in reference to the release of the video of the incident involving Officer Webster.  Late arrivals may not be admitted into the room in order to limit disruptions.

After a federal judge ruled that the video regarding the arrest of Lateef Dickerson on August 24, 2013, by Officer Tom Webster was no longer considered to be confidential, the Dover Police Department has decided to release the video.   Based on the incident that occurred, which is captured on this video, the Dover Police Department initiated a multi-pronged investigation into this matter.  As a result, in November 2013, the Dover Police Department placed Webster on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and review of the case by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.  In March of 2014, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office took the case before a grand jury who did not return an indictment for Webster.  At that time the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware reviewed the case and found that there was not a civil rights violation.  After both agencies conducted their separate investigations, the Dover Police Department completed the internal investigation on Webster finding that his actions regarding this incident were outside of Dover Police Department policy and the department took the appropriate actions.

In June 2014, Webster returned to full duty with the Dover Police Department and was reassigned to the patrol division.  On May 4, 2015, the Dover Police Department learned that the Delaware Attorney General’s office took this case before a second grand jury which indicted Cpl. Webster on the charge of Assault 2^nd degree.  Upon being notified of the indictment the Dover Police Department immediately placed Webster on leave without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

On May 4, 2015, Webster turned himself in and was presented to Commissioner Andrea Freud of the Kent County Superior Court where he was released on $5,000.00 unsecured bond.

For more information, please see the previous press release issued by the department here:  http://wp.me/p407do-1CD

Incident #: 50-15-11555 Date/Time: Monday, May 4th, 2015 at 12:50PM

Location: 800 Block of Maple Parkway, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested one suspect and has warrants for another after an attempted residential burglary occurred on Monday afternoon.  At approximately 12:54PM, Ryan Vaina (22) and Robert Cook (24) attempted to enter a home in the 800 block of Maple Parkway by prying open the rear door.  The victim arrived home while the suspects were making their attempt, causing them to flee the area.  The victim was able to recognize the suspects and contacted the Dover Police Department.  A short time after being notified, police found Ryan Vaina a short distance away from the residence and took him into custody without incident.  Vaina was released on a $6,250 unsecured bond by Justice of the Peace Court 7.  Both Vaina and Cook are/will be charged with the following offenses:
-Attempted Burglary Second Degree
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Criminal Mischief

On May 4, 2015, Dover Police Officer Cpl. Thomas Webster was arrested after a grand jury indictment was handed down charging him with Assault 2nd Degree, which is a felony. The indictment stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 24, 2013, where Webster, who was assigned to the patrol division, responded to the Hess gas station (now renamed Speedway Service Station) for a fight in progress where one of the people involved was possibly armed with a gun. When Webster arrived at the complaint, he contacted a subject who matched the description of one of the people involved in the fight at the gas station, and attempted to take him into custody. Webster, along with another officer, had the subject at gun point, giving him verbal commands to get on the ground to which the subject eventually complied. As the subject was in the process of getting on the ground he was kicked in the head once by Webster rendering him unconscious. After this occurred the subject was placed in handcuffs and taken into custody. This incident was captured on video by a Dover Police Department in car camera system. The subject was  transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment for the injuries he suffered while being arrested and was found to have a broken jaw.

 
In November 2013, the Dover Police Department placed Webster on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and review of the case by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office. In March of 2014, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office took the case before a grand jury who did not return an indictment for Webster. At that time the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware reviewed the case and found that there was not a civil rights violation. After both agencies conducted their separate investigations, the Dover Police Department completed the internal investigation on Webster finding that his actions regarding this incident were outside of Dover Police Department policy and acted accordingly.

 
In June 2014, Webster returned to full duty with the Dover Police Department and was reassigned to the patrol division. On May 4, 2015, the Dover Police Department learned that the Delaware Attorney General’s office indicted Cpl. Webster on the charge of Assault 2nd degree on the same day. Upon being notified of the indictment the Dover Police Department immediately placed Webster on leave without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

 
On May 4, 2015, Webster turned himself in and was presented to Commissioner Andrea Freud of the Kent County Superior Court where he was released on $5,000.00 unsecured bond.

Date/Time: Thursday, April 30th, 2015 at 09:42

Location:  Pine Grove Apartments, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:
Early Thursday morning the Dover Police Department responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Pine Grove Apartments.  Upon arrival, officers discovered a 19-year-old victim, DaShawn Friend.  Friend had been shot multiple times and was declared deceased on the scene as a result from his injuries. Throughout the remainder of the day, police and detectives pursued multiple leads in the case which led arrest of two suspects.

Fchante Robertson, 27, was charged with the following offenses: 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Robbery, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited, and Resisting Arrest.

James White, 30, was charged with the following offenses:  1st Degree Robbery, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, and Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited.