Month: October 2018

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-34594

Date/Time:   Sunday, October 14th, 2018 at 12:48AM

Location:   South New Street near West Reed Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred in the area of S. New Street and W. Reed Street, early Sunday morning.  At approximately 12:48AM, a 42-year-old male victim was in the area and approached by four suspects.  One of the suspects struck the victim in the face, while the others went through his pockets and personal belongings.  The suspects took several personal items from the victim before fleeing west towards Queen Street.  The victim was treated at Kent General Hospital for knee, neck, and back pain as a result of the robbery.

Suspects Descriptions:
Suspect 1-Black male, wearing black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans with design/bleach spots, and white shoes

Suspect 2-Black male, black jacket with  gray hood, dark pants, and black shoes with white soles

Suspect 3-Black male with hooded jacket with design on the back, white stripes on sleeves, and dark pants

Suspect 4-Black male with blue and black jacket with a red hood and jeans with a pattern on them

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#:  50-18-34607

Date/Time:   Sunday, October 14th, 2018 between 5:30AM-5:51AM

Location:   Spence’s Bazaar, 550 S. New Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at Spence’s Bazaar on Sunday morning.  Between 5:30AM-5:51AM, an unknown suspect forced entry into the business through a door.  Once inside, the suspect(s) stole multiple jewelry items from multiple vendor booths inside the business before fleeing the area.

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#:  50-18-34648

Date/Time:   Sunday, October 14th, 2018 at 7:36PM

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 on Sunday night.  At approximately 7:36PM, unknown suspects forced their way into a room at the Dover Inn where a 23-year-old male victim was located.  During the incident, the victim was shot multiple times and had property stolen.  The victim was taken to a hospital by private vehicle where he underwent surgery and is currently admitted in serious condition.  

It is believed that this was not a random act.

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#:  50-18-33867

Date/Time:   Between October 6th, 2018 at 11:00AM and October 8th, 2018 at 4:19PM

Location:   400 Block Country Drive, Dover, DE (Country Village Apts)

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a residential burglary that occurred between 11:00AM on October 6th and 4:19PM on October 8th.  During that time an unknown suspect entered an apartment in the 40 Block of Country Drive through a rear window that was left unsecured.  While inside, the suspect stole several electronic items and shoes before fleeing the area.  

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#:  50-18-33653

Date/Time:   Saturday, October 6th, 2018 at 10:57PM

Location:   White Oak Road, East of the Route 1 Overpass 

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Saturday night.  At approximately 10:57PM, a 2004 Ford Explorer being operated by Nicole Hauf (32) of Dover, was traveling at a high rate of speed in an eastbound direction on White Oak Road, just east of the Route 1 overpass.  Hauf was unable to negotiate the left curve and left the right side of the roadway and entered a ditch.  The vehicle overturned at least three times and came to rest on its roof in the eastbound travel lane of White Oak Road.  

A 13-year-old passenger was properly restrained and was able to free herself from the vehicle.  Hauf had to be extracted by the Dover Fire Department.  The passenger was admitted to A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital with a serious chest injury but is in stable condition.  Hauf was admitted to the hospital with a severe head injury and succumbed to her injuries on Sunday morning.

During the investigation it was learned that Hauf was involved in an argument on the phone while driving.  It is also believed that alcohol and speed are factors in the crash.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-33415

Date/Time:   October 4th, 2018 at 2:20PM

Location:   Unit Block of North New Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

Elwood Jerome Ross (51) was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery on Thursday afternoon.  At approximately 2:20PM, officers responded to the Unit Block of North New Street when a 64-year-old man reported that he was robbed.  Ross approached the male victim just outside of his residence and forcefully removed cash from his hand, dragging him to the ground.  The incident was captured on downtown surveillance cameras.  A review of those cameras, showed Elwood Ross to be the suspect.  A short time later, officers in the area located Ross wearing the same clothing as he was during the robbery and took him into custody without incident.

Ross was committed to SCI in default of $25,000 bond on a single charge of Robbery 1st Degree (victim older than 62).

The video of this incident will not be released.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-33340

Date/Time:    See Narrative

Location:    Clearfield Apartments, Haman Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested 62-year-old Dail Morris on several arson charges following a months long investigation by the Dover Police, Dover Fire Marshal, and Dover Fire Department.  The investigation was the result of several intentionally set fires inside of two buildings belonging to Clearfield Apartments between May and October of 2018.  Morris was charged with several charges related to the following incidents:

• 05/05/2018 at approximately 2057 a suspect started a fire in a trashcan inside of 100 Haman Drive
• 08/26/2018 at approximately 2135 a suspect started a fire in a trashcan inside of 100 Haman Drive
• 08/26/2018 at approximately 2247 a suspect started a fire in a trashcan inside of 100 Haman Drive
• 08/26/2018 at approximately 2358 a suspect started a fire in the hallway of 110 Haman Drive
• 09/10/2018 at approximately 2342 hours a suspect started a fire in a dumpster located in the parking lot of 110 Haman Drive
• 09/11/2018 at approximately 0035 hours a suspect started a fire in a dumpster located in the parking lot of 100 Haman Drive 
• 09/13/2018 at approximately 2200 hours a suspect started a fire in a dumpster located in the parking lot of 110 Haman Drive
• 10/3/2018 at approximately 2018 hours a suspect started a fire in a dumpster located in the parking lot of 110 Haman Drive
• 10/03/2018 at approximately 2051 hours a suspect started a fire inside of the laundry room of 100 Haman Drive
• 10/04/2018 at approximately 0015 hours a suspect started a fire on a vehicle causing approximately $2600 USC damage to same.

Dail Morris was committed to SCI in default of $28,500 secured bond on the following offenses:
-Arson 1st Degree (2x)
-Arson 2nd Degree
-Reckless Burning (7x)

A mugshot of Morris was not available at the time of release.