Month: March 2016

Complaint # 50-16-7641

Date/Time:   Thursday, March 10th, 2016 at 1140AM

Location:  100 Block of Westover Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested charged two juveniles during a firearm theft investigation.  On Thursday, March 10th, a 35-year-old victim reported her Cobra .380 handgun was stolen from her vehicle.  During the investigation, it was learned that her son, Marcus Willis (17)stole the firearm and gave it to Deontray Watson (14).  Watson was arrested without incident on March 24th on the following charges:

-Receiving a Stolen Firearm
-Possession of a Handgun by Prohibited Juvenile
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Illegal Gang Participation

Marcus Willis was charged with the following offenses afte rbeing arrested on March 25th:
-Theft of a Firearm
-Possession of a Handgun by Prohibited Juvenile
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Illegal Gang Participation

Complaint # 50-16-9861

Date/Time:   Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 at 8:04PM

Location:  Unit Block of Patriot Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested 34-year-old Kevin Pearsall after he assaulted his estranged girlfriend and then broke into her home.  The incident began at 8:04PM when the victim was in a vehicle with Pearsall and during a disagreement, Pearsall strangled the victim.  The victim escaped and ran into her residence on Patriot Drive and locked the doors to the home.  Pearsall followed the victim and climbed a ladder to a 2nd floor window and and shattered it, making entry into the home.  Once inside, Pearsall assaulted the victim and took her cell phone and money.  Pearsall was arrested by responding patrol units without incident.  Kevin Pearsall was charged with the following offenses as a result of this incident:
-Burglary 2nd Degree
-Strangulation
-Assault 3rd Degree
-Offensive Touching
-Theft
-Criminal Mischief (2X)

The Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force has announced that Delaware Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be the week of April 10th-16th, 2016.  Governor Jack Markell will sign a proclamation declaring the week Delaware Crime Victims’ Rights Week on Tuesday, April 12th at 3:00PM at Legislative Hall to mark the occasion.

The 2016 Chairperson of the Delaware Victims’ Rights Tribute is Dover Police Department’s Victim Services Coordinator, Diane Glenn.  Diane Glenn was instrumental in the planning of the Annual tribute, bringing in key speakers including Jill Lindenhofen from Delaware, and Carol Todd from British Columbia.

Jill Lindenhofen is a junior at Concord High School in Wilmington, DE. Active in her school community, in addition to being a member of the field hockey and swim team, Jill is the Brandywine School District Anti-Bullying Ambassador. Jill has spoken at many of the schools in the district, sharing her experiences with students of all ages. As a victim of bullying, Jill has become a champion for bullying prevention in schools.

Carol Todd is a mother of two, and an advocate for many. She was a typical hard-working mom, whose days were filled with regular activities until October 10, 2012. Her world tragically changed when her beloved daughter Amanda took her own life after a never-ending struggle as a victim of cyber-bullying and exploitation in her everyday life. Through the pain of losing her daughter, Carol courageously took a stand and shared Amanda’s story with her community and the world. Known as a global advocate she is sharing the voice of her daughter and increasing awareness of bullying in all forms and mental health issues in our youth.  You can learn more about Carol’s foundation, the Amanda Todd Legacy Society at: www.amandatoddlegacy.org/ 

Both Carol Todd and Diane Glenn will have media availability on Monday, April 11th and Tuesday, April 12th.  Please contact M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman at 302-736-7130 to schedule media interviews.

The Dover Police Department is pleased to announce the graduation of Lieutenant Chad Bernat from the School of Police Staff and Command at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

The 10 -week program, in Evanston, Illinois provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-seven core blocks of instruction and additional optional blocks during each session.  The major topics of study include: Leadership, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Organizational Behavior, Applied Statistics, Planning and Police Development, Budgeting and Resource Allocation.  Lt. Bernat completed the program with 25 other students in Class #387 between September 28th and December 11th of 2015.

Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations and quizzes in addition to a staff study paper that are all required parts of the curriculum.  Upon successful completion, students may be awarded a total of 6 units of undergraduate credit from the Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

The Center for public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community.  Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training,                                                  and Executive Development.

The Dover Police Department anticipates a variety of benefits from Lieutenant Bernat’s attendance at this program and are extremely proud of his accomplishments.  Many of the program’s graduates do go on to achieve a variety of leadership positions within their respective agencies.

Complaint # 50-16-9555

Date/Time:   Between March 27th at 10:45PM & March 28th at 1:30AM

Location:  Speedway Cafe, 737 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary at the Speedway Cafe.  The incident took place between 10:45PM on Sunday, March 27th and 1:30AM on Monday, March 28th when two male suspects pried open the rear door to the business and removed an undisclosed amount of money from the business before fleeing.

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

Complaint # 50-16-9649

Date/Time:   Monday, March 28th, 2016 at 6:43PM

Location:  Reese Street and Lincoln Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department Street Crimes Unit with assistance from Delaware Probation and Parole seized 392.8 grams of marijuana, a loaded 9mm handgun, and $6509.00 in drug proceeds during a traffic stop on Monday evening.  At approximately 6:43PM, officers stopped Giovanni Echevarria for a traffic violation in the area of Reese Street and Lincoln Street.  When officers approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 392.8 grams of marijuana along with a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun, and $6509.00 in drug proceeds.

Echevarria was arrested without incident and committed to JTVCC in default of $9,201.00 secured bond on the following charges:
-Failure to Wear Seatbelt
-Driving with Suspended License
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana with Agg. Factor
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony

The Dover Police Department has publicly released the 2015 annual report in its website this morning after it was presented before Dover City Council  on Monday, March 23rd.  The report can be viewed/downloaded at the following link:

2015 DOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT