Month: October 2015

The Dover Police Department responded to 12 shoplifting calls between Noon on October 8th  and Noon on October 15th.  Of those 12 shoplifting complaints, six are still under investigation, one was unfounded, one store declined prosecution, and 4 arrests/warrants obtained were made in  4 cases.  One juvenile and 3 adult arrests were made.

Complaint # 50-15-30519

Date/Time:  Thursday, October 15th at 2:16AM

Location:   1019 Walker Road (Hamlet Shopping Center), Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

Two officers were injured after being drug by a vehicle operated by Christopher Brewer (28) early Thursday morning.  Officers were responding to a Loitering/Suspicious Subject complaint, where a store employee stated that Brewer was loitering in the parking lot, throwing trash out of his vehicle window, and refusing to leave the property.  Two officers arrived to find Brewer reclined in the driver seat of a burgundy colored Chrysler 200.  The officers believed the suspect was sleeping or under the influence and attempted to wake Brewer by knocking on the window and giving him verbal commands.  Brewer suddenly began moving within the vehicle, possibly reaching for an item.  Officers opened the driver side door to take Brewer into custody, but Brewer shut the door on the officers.  The officers then attempted to remove Brewer from the vehicle once more.  At that time Brewer put the vehicle in reverse and quickly accelerated.  Both officers were dragged across the parking lot by Brewer, who then fled after putting the car in drive.  Brewer led other arriving officers on a brief vehicle pursuit that ended after he struck a curb which disabled his vehicle.  Brewer was arrested in the area of Lakewood Place and Ross Street.  Brewer’s charges are listed below.  It is possible that more charges will follow as the investigation continues.

Patrolman Anthony D’Errico was treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for multiple wounds and abrasions.  D’Errico began his career with the Dover Police Department in 2014.

Patrolman Willie Johnson is currently admitted at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for a leg injury.  The extent of the injury is unknown at this time.  Johnson has served with the Dover Police Department for two years.

Complaint # 50-15-30391

Date/Time:  Tuesday, October 13th at 8:47PM

Location:   Southbound side of North DuPont Hwy., in front of 1380 North DuPont Hwy.

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle that occurred on Tuesday evening. At approximately 8:47PM, Dillard Stevens (47) attempted to walk westbound across North DuPont Highway in the area of 1380 North DuPont Highway.  Stevens, who was not using a crosswalk or intersection to cross, walked in front of a 2001 Ford Taurus which was traveling southbound in the left travel lane.  Stevens was struck by the Taurus, causing fatal injuries.  Stevens was provided first aid and emergency medical treatment, but later died as a result of his injuries at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.  It is suspected that the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.  No charges are pending against the driver of the vehicle.

The temperatures are dropping, days are shorter, and the leaves are changing which also means the holiday season is quickly approaching.  While this time of year is certainly joyous for most, there are many families that simply do not have the means to provide gifts for their children.  Last year, Target and the Dover Police Department teamed up to start Heroes and Helpers.  Heroes and Helpers is a program that allows children from the Dover area to pair up with a Dover Police Officer to go shopping for Christmas gifts at the Dover Target store.  Last year the department was able to help 24 children from our area and provide them with a Christmas they likely would not have had.  After successful events in 2013 and 2014, requests for funding for similar programs increased, leading the the sharing of funds available.  Target is donating a generous $1,000 to the department for this program in 2015, which would only allow Dover officers to help 10-12 children.  The Dover Police Department is now launching a public fundraising campaign through the popular site Go Fund Me, to raise an additional $4,000.00 by November 24th so we can help 30 or more children have the Christmas they deserve.
For more information on the event, please see this story
 Heroes and Helpers

The fundraising page can be accessed here:
Heroes and Helpers Fundraising Page

Previous Heroes and Helpers Videos

Complaint # 50-15-30250

Date/Time:  Monday, October 12th at 5:57PM

Location:   Hazletville Road, east of Wyoming Mill Road

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Monday evening.  At approximately 5:57PM, a Jeep Compass was traveling westbound on Hazletville Road, approaching Wyoming Mill Road.  At the same time, Bernard Etapale (63), was riding a bicycle in the bike lane, traveling westbound as well.  As the Jeep Compass approached Etapale, he left the bike lane and entered the straight travel lane, directly in the path of the Jeep Compass.  The Jeep Compass struck the bicycle, causing Etapale to fall off the bicycle and strike the windshield of the Jeep.  Bystanders and arriving Dover police officers rendered first aid and CPR to Etapale, who was transported to Bayhealth Kent General a short time later.  Etapale was later flown to Chrisitana Hospital, where he was alter pronounced dead as a result of head trauma.  He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Dover Police Department K9’s Receive Ballistic/Stab-Proof Vests 

The Dover Police Department’s K9 Gerome has received  a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a Massachusetts based nonprofit organization, and Armor Express, a Michigan based manufacturer. Armor Express of Central Lake, MI. has an incentive program for every 15 vests purchased by the charity, a free vest was awarded. Vests were donated to K9’s in Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, South Carolina, Delaware, North Dakota, and Arkansas.

The Dover Police Department’s K9 Gunner also received a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and Lynda Gordon of Coconut Grove, FL provided $1,050.00 for K9 Gunner’s vest.  The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In loving memory of Corky Gordon”, in honor of her loving pet that passed away.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1,590 protective vests, in 49 states including Alaska and Hawaii, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.5 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 19 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The suggested donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234, a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

Complaint # 50-15-29893

Date/Time:  Friday, October 9th at 1:30AM

Location:   North State Street and Division Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

Two suspects were arrested after robbing a 24-year-old man at gun-point on Friday morning.  At approximately 1:30AM, the victim was walking in the area of Division Street, when approached by a light colored Chrysler 300.  The vehicle stopped and a black male suspect exited the rear passenger side and pointed a gun at the victim, taking numerous items belonging to the victim.  The suspect then entered the vehicle and fled.  Officers responded to the scene and located a vehicle matching the description in the area of North State and Division Streets.  The suspects fled from the vehicle and led officers on a brief foot chase before being apprehended.  As officers checked the suspects vehicle, a stolen firearm and the victims property were located inside.

Joseph Murray was charged with the following crimes and committed to JTVCC on $65,200 secured bond:
-Robbery 1st Degree
– Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Possession of a Weapon with obliterated serial number
-Aggravated Menacing
-Wearing a disguise during commission of felony
-Receiving Stolen Firearm
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Criminal Mischief
-Criminal Impersonation

Kyle Colliver was charged with the following crimes and committed to JTVCC on $31,850 secured bond:
-Robbery 1st Degree
– Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of a Weapon with obliterated serial number
-Aggravated Menacing
-Wearing a disguise during commission of felony
-Receiving Stolen Firearm
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Criminal Mischief