Month: December 2015

Complaint # 50-15-38078

Location:  Kenton Road and Fieldstone Court, Dover, DE (Traffic Stop)

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

Narrative:

A fugitive from Dover was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit on Monday afternoon.  At approximately 4:49PM on Monday, December 21st, officers from the Dover Police Department and Probation and Parole attempted to stop Dandre Chandler (23) while he was operating a vehicle in the area of Kenton Road.  Chandler fled on foot from the vehicle but was apprehended shortly after.  Chandler was wanted on the following charges, stemming from a search warrant during a drug investigation on November 9th:
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Possession of Heroin (Tier 3 Qty)
-Possession of a Weapon with Obliterated Serial Number
-Receiving a Stolen Firearm
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Once Chandler was apprehended, he was found to be in possession of 8.12 grams of heroin.  Chandler was charged with the following offenses as a result of Monday’s incident:
-Possession of Heroin (Tier 5 Qty)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Resisting Arrest
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Criminal Mischief

Chandler was committed to JTVCC on $79,750 Cash Bail

The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Alexis Dupree (27).  Dupree was last seen on December 20th in the area of South Bradford and Reed Streets in Dover, but the family has since received messages from a 3rd party that Alexis’ health may be at risk and in need of assistance.  Alexis Dupree is 5’7″, 140 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. If you have any information on Dupree’s whereabouts, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.

THE CITY OF DOVER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cpl. Thomas Webster IV to Return to Dover Police Department on Administrative Leave with Pay

Dover Police Chief Paul Bernat announced today that Cpl. Thomas Webster IV will return to the Dover Police Department on paid administrative leave on Sunday, December 20, 2015.

Dover Police Department’s use of force policy requires that any officer involved in the use of deadly force that results in injury or death must undergo a psychological evaluation before returning to full duty.

Responding to calls that the Dover Police Department review Cpl. Webster’s actions in a videotaped arrest that occurred in August 2013, Chief Bernat reminded community members and elected officials that Delaware state law and Dover Police Department directives require that Cpl. Webster be afforded due process, including a hearing before a board of Captains, prior to any adverse employment action, including termination.

“The Dover Police Department has already completed its internal investigation and dealt with this incident independently of the concurrent criminal proceedings,” said Chief Bernat.  “As a law enforcement officer, Cpl. Webster is afforded rights under state law, and the Dover Police Department must abide by the law as well as its obligations under Dover Police Department directives.  While the Dover Police Department has treated this incident with the utmost seriousness, Cpl. Webster’s right to return to his job after having been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing must be honored.”

On December 8, 2015, Cpl. Webster was found not guilty by a 12 member jury on a charge of felony assault resulting from an arrest that occurred in August 2013.

Statement released by M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer, on behalf of Chief Paul Bernat

Complaint # 50-15-37725/37751

Incident Date:  December 18th, 2015

Location:  Bayhealth Kent General Hospital and Dover Police Dept.

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

Narrative:

Within three and a half hours, the Dover Police Department arrested the same man for breaking into vehicles.  At approximately 7:05AM, officers responded to the parking lot for a report of a suspect (Joseph Graden-28), breaking into vehicles.  Security officers from the hospital contacted Graden, who fled on foot.  He was later found hiding in bushes on the property and taken into custody without further incident.  During the investigation, it was discovered that Graden had broken into a Ford Escape in the parking lot and left his backpack inside of the vehicle, containing his driver’s license and wallet.  Graden also damaged the exterior of the vehicle while breaking into it.  Graden was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree.  Graden was later released by Justice of the Peace Court 7 on an unsecured bond after being arraigned.

At approximately 10:36AM, shortly after being arraigned, an employee of the Dover Police Department exited the building to find Graden rummaging through his vehicle, which was parked directly in front of the station. The employee immediately notified officers in the building, who then ran to the vehicle.  Graden then fled on foot but was captured a short time later by Dover Police officers.  Graden continued to struggle with officers once captured, also throwing a bracelet he stole from the vehicle he broke into.  Once the victim and officers checked the vehicle, they discovered that Graden caused damage to the glove compartment, used a coat hanger to damage the center console lock, and ripped insulation from the back seat.  Graden attempted to steal other items inside the vehicle, including the bracelet he threw as officers contacted him.  Graden was committed to JTVCC on $2500.00 secured bond on the following charges:
-Theft Under $1500.00
-Resisting Arrest
-Criminal Mischief
-Disorderly Conduct
-Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree

The Dover Police Department’s Third Annual Holiday Heroes was an overwhelming success as families left Target with smiles on their faces Wednesday night.  Despite the program being at risk with a decline in private donations, the event became the largest in it’s 3-year history thanks to several local businesses and organizations.  The Dover Police Department partnered with Communities in Schools and the Capital School District to identify children in need. The Dover Police Department secured nearly $5,000 in donations. The department raised almost $1500.00 through online and personal fundraising efforts, with the other donations coming from the following businesses and organizations:
$500-Teal Construction
$1,000-Winner Auto Group
$1,500-It’s all Good In Delaware
$1,500-Communites in Schools
Radio Promotion donated by Eagle 97.7 Petch and Amy in the Morning

Without the assistance of these local businesses and organizations, the Holiday Heroes program was going to be limited in the number of children and families in 2015. The Dover Police Department is appreciative of the community support to make 2015 the biggest event to date with 23 children taking part in Wednesday’s event.  Additional funds were provided to a family with five children with another five going shopping on December 21st, bringing the total number of children to 33 for 2015.  Photos from the event can be viewed in the slideshow below:

Complaint # 50-15-35138

Incident Date:  November 25th, 2015

Location:  Undisclosed (to protect victim identity)

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

Narrative:

A fugitive wanted for rape from the Dover Police Department has been apprehended by the United States Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force.  The task force, which includes a Dover Police officer, made the arrest on December 16th in a house in the 200 Block of Fulton Street without incident.  Eric Curry (34) was wanted for Sexual Abuse of a Child by Person of Trust 1st Degree and Rape 2nd Degree following an incident involving a 14-year-old victim.  Curry was committed to JTVCC on $150,000 cash bond following the arrest.  The Dover Police Department has worked with the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force on numerous cases in the past 20 months, leading to numerous successful arrests for serious crimes.  The Dover Police Department recently dedicated an officer to the Fugitive Task Force to continue the successful program.

Update:  

The Dover Police Department arrested 14-year-old Deontray Watson in the shooting of a 16-year-old boy in the Hamlet housing development on December 10th.  Watson was identified as a suspect as detectives investigated the case over the last six days.  Watson was committed to Stevenson House (Juvenile Detention Center) in default of $14,250.00 secured bond after being arrested on December 16th.  Watson was charged with the following crimes:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (4x)
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Criminal Mischief
-Possession of a Firearm by Juvenile

Complaint # 50-15-36788

Date/Time:  12-10-15 at 4:08PM

Location:  Village Drive (The Hamlet), Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating an afternoon shooting that took place in The Hamlet development, on Village Drive. At approximately 4:08PM, patrol officers responded to the area for a report of shots fired.  Officers checked the area but found no victims or evidence of gunfire at the time.  Approximately three hours later, a 16-year-old male victim arrived at Kent General Hospital with a single gunshot wound to his shoulder area.  The victim was treated and released from the hospital for the wound.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police Department MyPD Mobile App.

The Dover Police Department held its Winter Promotion and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, December 15th at the historic Schwartz Center in downtown Dover.  In all, 21 officers were promoted.  Each officer that was promoted is shown below with their new rank.  The following officers are not pictured due to their current assignments within the department:
Master Corporal Jordan Miller
Master Corporal Carlton Turner

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