Month: July 2018

ARREST MADE: 

The Dover Police Department is announcing the arrest of Timothy Safford, wanted for a murder that occurred on Friday, June 22nd, 2018.  Members of the United States Marshal Fugitive Task Force took Safford into custody in the 300 Block of Van Buren Street NW, Washington D.C.  He was arrested without incident.  Safford is currently being held pending his extradition to Delaware.  

UPDATE:

The Dover Police Department has identified Timothy Safford (42) as the suspect in the shooting death of Sylvester Lee at Liberty Court Apartments on Friday, June 22nd.  During the investigation, detectives learned that Safford and Lee were involved in a verbal argument prior to the shooting.  While both men walked towards the victim’s vehicle, Safford shot Lee, ultimately causing his death. 

Safford is wanted for 1st Degree Murder, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony,  Possession of Firearm/Ammunition by Person Prohibited (2x).  

Safford should be considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with knowledge of Safford’s whereabouts should call 911 or their local police department immediately.  Safford’s last known address is in Dover, DE but is no longer accurate.  

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-20694

Date/Time:  Friday, June 22nd, 2018 at 9:41PM

Location:   Liberty Court Apts, 1289 Walker Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 41-year-old man that occurred on Friday night.  At approximately 9:41PM, officers from the Dover Police Department responded to Liberty Court Apartments for reports of a shooting.  Upon arrival, officers located Sylvester Lee (Clayton, DE), lying on the ground after being struck multiple times by gunfire in the torso.  Lee was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 10:15PM.    

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

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-24615

Date/Time:   Tuesday, July 24th between 5:30AM-3:00PM

Location:   Dover East Estates MHP, 1061 S. Little Creek Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a residential burglary that occurred on Tuesday, July 24th, 2018.  Sometime between 5:30AM and 3:00PM, unknown suspects entered a vacant home through a small rear window.  Once inside, the suspects stole a 40″ Samsung TV and fled.  

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

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-24645

Date/Time:   Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 at 6:35PM

Location:   Cherry Street, South of Lincoln Street, Dover, DE 

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested Christopher Brewer on weapons charges after a traffic offense on Tuesday evening.  Officers were patrolling the Area of Cherry and Lincoln streets at approximately 6:35PM on Tuesday when they observed a black Kia Forte parked in the middle of the street.  As officers approached, Brewer entered the car and began backing up.  Officers contacted Brewer and noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car.  A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a .380 caliber handgun, handgun magazine and cartridges, and drug paraphernalia.  Brewer also had two capias’ for his arrest.  Brewer was taken into custody without incident and committed to JTVCC in default of $5,150 secured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Possession of Marijuana
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 
-Traffic Offenses

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-23761

Date/Time:   Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 at 1:19AM

Location:   Capitol Cleaners, 217 S. New Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested a 51-year-old Dover man after breaking into the Capitol Cleaners location at 217 S. New Street.  Officers responded to the location at approximately 1:19AM after receiving an alarm call for the location.  While searching the property officers located unsecured doors to the business and that the cash drawer was missing.  Officers continued to check the business and located James Smith at the rear of the business with two cash drawers and cash in his possession.  Smith was taken into custody without incident.

Smith was committed to JTVCC in default of $3,000 bond on the following charges:
-Burglary 3rd Degree
-Theft Under $1,500
-Criminal Mischief (2x)

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program that meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:00p.m-9:00pm from September 11th-November 13th, 2018.  This program is designed to provide members of the Dover community with additional knowledge about their police department. It allows citizens of Dover to become more educated on Dover Police Department procedure and the pressures associated within law enforcement. We seek and invite a diverse group of people who either live in or work in the City of Dover to apply.  You do not have to be a Dover citizen to attend.  There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN AUGUST 17TH, 2018

The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy is to accomplish three goals:

1. To educate community members in Dover Police Department procedures and the pressures associated within law enforcement
2. To allow the citizens of Dover to meet the men and women who serve them
3. To provide Dover Police Department officers the opportunity to meet and hear from the citizens they serve.

Citizen Police Academy members are given a realistic view of the Department.
Topics presented include:

The academy meets once a week at the Dover Police Department on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm.

Presentations consist of lectures, demonstrations, videos, computer presentations, and “hands on” participation. Each participant is given the opportunity to ride with an officer for one shift.

How to Obtain an Application

There are three ways to obtain an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy
1-Pick up in person at the Dover Police Department
2-DOWNLOAD CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY APPLICATION
3-COMPLETE APPLICATION ONLINE

Media representatives are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Contact

For further information contact:

Cpl. Caleb Rich
Planning and Training Unit
Dover Police Department
400 S. Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
(302)-736-4461
Caleb.Rich@cj.state.de.us

The Dover Police Department will once again bring the National Night Out to the Dover community on Tuesday, August 7th from 6-8pm.  The event brings the Dover Police Department, along with several emergency agencies and military personnel to one place where the public can bring their families to meet and greet local heroes and see the equipment used in their jobs while forming a positive relationship with the community.  In addition to appearances and demonstrations by these agencies, Night Out will feature fun activities for all ages along with food and beverages for all while supplies last.  The venue for the event has been moved to the Blue Hen Corporate Center located at 655 S. Bay Road to allow for more space and parking for attendees.

The National Night Out  provides a variety of agencies with an opportunity to show our citizens what services they provide, the vehicles and equipment they use, and a chance to interact with personnel in a relaxed atmosphere.   WSFS and the Dover Police Department will join together to bring a “shred event” to the National Night Out for the 4th consecutive year.  The public is invited to bring personal documents to be shredded beginning at 5pm and ending at 8pm that day.

The Dover Police Department requests that political candidates do NOT campaign, distribute handbills, or other materials at this event.

MEDIA:  Media are welcome to attend the event. Requests for images from previous events should be made through M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman by email at: mark.hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-23269

Date/Time:   Thursday, July 12th, 2018 at 7:50PM

Location:   Loockerman Street at Federal Street, Dover, DE (Traffic Stop)

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

Narrative: 

A traffic stop by the Dover Police Street Crimes Unit led to a drug arrest on Thursday evening.  At approximately 7:50PM, officers stopped Jaray Harris (38) in the area of Loockerman Street and Federal Street.  During the following investigation, officers discovered .5 grams of powder cocaine, 1.7 grams of crack cocaine, and 6.5 grams of marijuana.  All of the substances were packaged for the purpose of sale.

Harris was released on $15,250 unsecured bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Controlled Substance (3x)
-Drug Paraphernalia

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-23077

Date/Time:   Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 8:15AM

Location:   100 Block of Cherry Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested Dante Durham following a search warrant on Wednesday morning.  The search warrant was conducted in the 100 Block of Cherry Street following a drug investigation.  Durham was arrested without incident.  During the search, officers located 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1.4 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales, and $516 in drug proceeds.

Durham was committed to JTVCC in default of $20,500 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Ammo by Person Prohibited
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Manufacturing Crack Cocaine