Month: March 2017

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-7220

Date/Time:  Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 at 4:33PM

Location: 800 Block of Bacon Avenue, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department Street Crimes and DVOC Units and Delaware Probation and Parole arrested two people on drug and firearms charges after a traffic stop led to the search of a home.  Fatou Small (37) and Ashley Bradley (27) were stopped by police in the area of Nimitz Road and Townsend Boulevard in Dover.  During the stop, Bradley admitted to concealing ecstasy and was found to possess 14 doses.  Small was found in possession of $1,211.00 in cash.

Delaware Probation and Parole, with assistance from the Dover Police Department, conducted an administrative search at Small’es residence in the 800 Block of Bacon Avenue.  During that search, officers located 497 doses of ecstasy, 432.8 grams of marijuana, and a .357 revolver.

Small was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a Tier 4 Quantity of Ecstasy, Possession of Ecstasy in a Tier 5 Quantity, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2x), Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana in a Tier 1 Quantity, Conspiracy II, Violation of Probation and Traffic Offenses.  Small was committed to JTVCC on $130,000 secured bond.

Bradley was charged with Possession of a Tier 1 Quantity of Ecstasy, Conspiracy II, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bradley was released on $7,500 unsecured bond.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-6690

Date/Time:  Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 at 4:02PM

Location: Traffic Stop in the area of S. Queen Street and Bank Lane, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department Street Crimes Unit and Delaware Probation and Parole officers conducted a traffic stop that led to drug and weapons offenses for 24-year-old Randall Harris, of Magnolia, DE.  At 4:02PM on Wednesday, and detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  Officers discovered Harris in possession of 3.9 grams of marijuana and a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun in the vehicle.  Harris was arrested without incident and charged with the following offenses:
-Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Traffic Offenses

Harris was released after posting $11,300 secured bond.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-6767

Date/Time:  Thursday, March 2nd, 2017 at 12:03PM

Location: PNC Bank, 3 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested 40-year-old Steven Smalls Jr. for a bank robbery that occurred on Thursday afternoon. At approximately 12:03PM, officers responded to PNC Bank located at 3 Loockerman Plaza for a robbery.  Smalls entered the business wearing a hat and sunglasses and handed an employee a note demanding money and threatening to use a firearm.  Smalls had his hand in his pocket in a manner that led the employees to believe he was armed.  The employee complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to Smalls, who fled the scene on foot.  Approximately 3 hours after the robbery occurred, detectives observed Smalls in front of Courtney Square Shopping Center on S. New Street.  Smalls was wearing the same clothing as he was during the robbery and was found to be in possession of a large amount of cash consistent with what was taken in the robbery.  Detectives located Smalls vehicle a short time later and discovered the hat and sunglasses he wore during the robbery, hiding in some shrubbery next to the vehicle.  Smalls was charged with Robbery 1st Degree and Waring a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony and committed to JTVCC in default of $10,000 secured bond.

Obituary for Robert DaFonte

Robert “Rob” DaFonte of Hartly passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 26, 2017 with his best friend Jimmy Watts.

Rob was born December 9, 1993 in Dover, Delaware to Richard Edwin DaFonte II and Karen Lynn Nolette DaFonte.

He graduated from Polytech High School, where he was on the wrestling and football teams. Rob was an Eagle Scout and a PADI Dive Master.

Rob was a 2 year veteran of the Dover Police Department and worked as a patrolman. He was also involved in the police department’s Honor Guard. Rob enjoyed target and tactical shooting and fishing. He was a member of the FOP Lodge #15 in Dover.

He was preceded in death by his grandparent Harry Norman Nolette.

Rob is survived by his parents, Richard and Karen DaFonte, II of Hartly; brother, Richard E. DaFonte, III of Hartly; girlfriend, Kerstin Dean of Smyrna; grandparents Richard E. DaFonte , Rose M. DaFonte , and Margie I. Tuxward; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A visitation will be held for Rob and Jimmy on Saturday, March 4th from 11 ~ 2, followed by a memorial service at 2 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover.  Media will NOT permitted to attend at the request of the families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DaFonte/Watts Memorial Scholarship Fund, set up by the Dover Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #15. Checks should be made out to; Dover FOP Lodge #15, PO Box 1352, Dover, DE 19903.

Obituary for James D Watts

James Douglas Watt’s passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 26, 2017 with his good friend Robert DaFonte.

Jimmy was born May 10, 1994 in Dover, Delaware to Douglas and Lynn Watts.

He attended Holy Cross Catholic Elementary, Postlehwait Middle School, and is a 2012 graduate of Polytech High School. Jimmy had a strong passion for sports and particularly excelled as a wrestler. While attending Polytech High School, he spent 2 years as a captain and had over 100 varsity career wins. He was also a member of the 2012 State Championship Wrestling Team.

Jimmy is a 2016 graduate of York College in Pennsylvania where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity during his time at York and participated in various fraternity events until the time of his death.

His lifetime dream was to serve as a member of the Dover Police Department, where he hoped to work alongside many of his friends. At the time of his death Jimmy worked as a member of the Dover Police Departments Cadet Program while pursuing his goal of being an officer.

Jimmy was known for his love of music and sports, where he particularly enjoyed following the NY Islanders. He was always seen with a smile on his face and had the incredible ability to light up a room no matter where he was or whom he was with. Jimmy will be remembered forever as a loving son and brother, and as a friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James E. Watts and Leonard and Joanne Stamp.

Jimmy is survived by his parents, Doug and Lynn Watts of Camden, DE; his sisters Anna Watts, Morgan James and her husband Carlos; his grandmother Margaret Lynch Watts of Leesburg, FL and many loving, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10AM, Friday, March 3, 2017 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover, to celebrate Jimmy’s life. Media will NOT be permitted to attend at the request of the family.

A visitation will be held for Jimmy and Robert on Saturday, March 4th from 11 ~ 2, followed by a memorial service at 2 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.    Media is NOT permitted to attend at the request of the families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DaFonte/Watts Memorial Scholarship Fund, set up by the Dover Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #15. Checks should be made out to; Dover FOP Lodge #15, PO Box 1352, Dover, DE 19903.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-6554

Date/Time:  Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 at 10:50AM

Location: Acorn Lane at Whiteoak Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and Delaware Probation and Parole arrested a 16-year-old on drug and firearms offenses following a drug investigation.  Tyrese Bailey was arrested in the area of Acorn Lane and Whiteoak Road at 10:50AM on Tuesday.  Bailey was found to be in possession of 54 bags (5.4 grams) of heroin, 3.7 grams of marijuana, and a loaded 9mm handgun.  Bailey was committed to a nearby juvenile detention facility in default of $73,700 cash bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Heroin
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Possession of Firearm/Ammunition by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Marijuana
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Incident/Complaint#:  50-17-6593

Date/Time:  Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 at 7:40PM

Location: Towne Point Apartments, 820 Carvel Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 25-year-old Dover man, that occurred on Tuesday night.  At approximately 7:40PM, a Dover police officer that was patrolling the area heard several gunshots in coming from Towne Point Apartments.  The officer checked the area and found 25-year-old Rodney Miller inside of a parked vehicle at the rear of the complex.  Miller was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. 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