Month: March 2016

Complaint # 50-16-7957

Date/Time:   Sunday, March 13th, 2016 at 5:15AM

Location:  Dover Inn, 428 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred at a room at the Dover Inn on Sunday morning.  At 5:15AM, three male suspects contacted the victims at the Dover Inn, inside their hotel room and displayed firearms, demanding money.  The victims described the suspects as three black males, with one holding a small handgun and a second holding a rifle.  The suspects fled out a rear window of the room in an unknown direction.  No injuries were reported by the victims.

UPDATE:

The Dover Police Department has arrested Marquis Harris (20) and Darren Tolson (21) in connection with this incident.  Through further investigation by detectives, Harris was developed as a suspect.  On March 14th, detectives observed Harris and Tolson driving a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.  It was determined through interviews of the suspects that they were involved in the robbery at the Dover Inn and both were charged with the following offenses:
-Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

In an effort to further increase transparency of the Dover Police Department and provide valuable information to the Dover community, the Dover Police Department will release monthly reports on its website.  The following statistics were gathered from January of 2016.

Complaint # 50-16-7957

Date/Time:   Sunday, March 13th, 2016 at 5:15AM

Location:  Dover Inn, 428 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred at a room at the Dover Inn on Sunday morning.  At 5:15AM, three male suspects contacted the victims at the Dover Inn, inside their hotel room and displayed firearms, demanding money.  The victims described the suspects as three black males, with one holding a small handgun and a second holding a rifle.  The suspects fled out a rear window of the room in an unknown direction.  No injuries were reported by the victims.

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 # 50-16-7411

Date/Time:   Thursday, March 10th, 2016 at 9:58PM

Location:  S. New Street at Division Street (Traffic Stop)

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department Street Crimes Unit and Delaware Probation and Parole arrested a Dover man on weapons charges and marijuana possession on Thursday night following a traffic stop.  Kenneth DeShields (21), was stopped in the area of S. New Street and Division Street at 9:58PM for driving without headlights on.  As officers were talking to DeShields, they observed a bag containing .6 grams of marijuana in the vehicle in plain sight.  As officers searched the vehicle, they discovered a loaded AR-15 rifle with an obliterated serial number.  DeShields is also a person prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions.  DeShields was charged with the following offenses and released on $10,101 secured bond:
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited
-Possession of Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number
-Possession of Marijuana
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Failure to Have Headlamps On

Complaint # 50-16-7411

Date/Time:   Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 at 9:23AM

Location:  Wells Fargo Bank, 100 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested Cloreese McCray (37) on Wednesday after he attempted to rob an elderly victim at the Wells Fargo ATM.  The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 9th at 9:23AM when a 71-year-old male was approached by McCray as he completed an ATM withdraw.  McCray, who had her face covered, grabbed the victim by his arm and attempted to take money from him.  The victim struggled and McCray fled the scene empty-handed.  A description of McCray was broadcast to responding officers, and McCray was contacted a short time later and taken into custody without incident.  McCray was charged with the following offenses and released on $4,000 Secured Bond:
-Attempted Robbery 2nd Degree
-Wearing a Disguise During Commission of Felony
-Assault 2nd (Victim over 62)

The Dover Police Department offers the following advice for ATM users to ensure a safe transaction and prevent future crimes from occurring:

1. Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings. Don’t select an ATM at the corner of a building — corners create a blind spot. Use an ATM located near the center of a building. Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.
2. Maintain an awareness of your surroundings throughout the entire transaction. Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby. When leaving an ATM make sure you are not being followed. If you are, drive immediately to a police or fire station, or to a crowded, well-lighted location or business.
3. Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
4. Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN. Memorize your PIN; never write it on the back of your card. Do not re-enter your PIN if the ATM eats your card — contact a bank official.
5. Do not wear expensive jewelry or take other valuables to the ATM. This is an added incentive to the assailant.
6. Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place.
7. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running, your doors locked and leave enough room to maneuver between your car and the one ahead of you in the drive-up line.
8. Maintain a supply of deposit envelopes at home or in your car. Prepare all transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the machine.
9. Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
10. If you are involved in a confrontation with an assailant who demands your money, COMPLY.

Complaint # 50-16-7854

Date/Time:  Friday, March 11th, 2016 at 7:58PM

Location:  South DuPont Highway near Evergreen Drive, Dover

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred on Friday evening at approximately 7:58PM.  The accident occurred in the area of South DuPont Highway at Evergreen Drive, when 16-year-old Enfimus Deputy (from Dover, DE) attempted to cross the highway on foot.  Deputy crossed in an area where there was no crosswalk/intersection and no lighting.  Deputy, who was wearing all dark clothing, was struck by a White Chevrolet Impala that was traveling northbound in the area.  It is also believed that a black 1990’s model Ford Mustang was also involved in the accident, but left the area ahead of police arrival.  Enfimus Deputy was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries from the accident.

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 # 50-16-7400

Date/Time:  Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 at 2:15PM

Location:   First State Inn, 1760 N. DuPont Highway, Dover

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department wrapped up a lengthy drug investigation with a record heroin seizure on Tuesday afternoon.  Officers from the Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit, Safe Streets Unit, and Delaware Probation and Parole executed a search warrant at the First State Inn following an investigation into illegal drug sales by Darren Swiggett (28).  During a search of the room, officer located 6,396 bags of heroin for a total of 95.94 grams, $13,075 cash, ammunition, and marijuana.  Swiggett was arrested without incident and committed to JTVCC in default of $211,000 Cash Bond on the following charges:
-Tier 5 Possession of Heroin
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin (Tier 4 Qty)
-Delivery of Heroin
-Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Possession of Marijuana

Complaint # 50-16-7126

Date/Time:   Sunday, March 6th, 2016 at 1:36AM

Location:  Bubba’s Night Club, 865 North DuPont Highway, Dover

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating after multiple gunshots were fired in the parking lot of Bubba’s Night Club on Sunday morning.  At approximately 1:36 AM, officers responded for a call of 300-400 people loitering in the parking lot of the night club and the adjacent Home Depot.  Officers responded and began dispersing the crowd when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of Bubba’s.  No injuries were reported, and only one vehicle was struck.  Officers recovered 22 shell casings from two different caliber firearms in the parking lot of Bubba’s, near the front entrance.  Officers had difficulty locating the persons responsible due to the large crowd and people fleeing the area.

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