Day: July 22, 2019

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-22891

Date/Time:  Sunday, July 21st, 2019 at 3:24AM

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

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested two men on gun and drug charges following a call for shots fired on S. New Street.  At approximately 3;24AM on Sunday, July 21st, officers received the call for shots fired and began responding to the area of S. New Street.  Dover police dispatchers then alerted officers by radio that a light grey SUV was seen leaving the area with suspects wearing ski masks.  A responding officer observed a similar vehicle traveling northbound on Saulsbury Road and turning into Whatcoat Apartments.  

Officers then observed Jonair Pollard (24), walking near other parked vehicles, stopping briefly.  Officers took both Pollard and James Ewell (22) into custody.  After searching the area where Pollard was seen walking and stopping, they located a .40 caliber handgun behind a tire of a parked vehicle.  This weapon was found to have an obliterated serial number.

Officers then searched a light grey Volvo SUV and located another .40 caliber handgun where Ewell was seated, ammunition, and three black ski masks.  Ewell was also found to be in possession of .8 grams of MDMA.

No injuries or damage was reported to police from the shots fired call on S. New Street.

Jonair Pollard was committed to SCI in default of $28,000 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of a Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

James Ewell was committed to SCI in default on $38,200 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited [3x (Drugs/Ammo/Firearm)]
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Possession of MDMA
-Paraphernalia 

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-22724

Date/Time:  Friday, July 19th, 2019 at 3:19PM

Location:  West Side Car Wash, 805 Forest Avenue, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested a 68-year-old Harrington man on weapons offenses and DUI following an incident at the West Side Car Wash on Friday afternoon.  At approximately 3:19PM, officers were called to the car wash for a report of a man pointing a gun at another man.  Upon arrival, officers contacted and detained Joseph Rivard, locating a revolver on his hip.  Officers reviewed surveillance footage and observed that a 38-year-old male was operating a vehicle and pulled forward in line at the car wash.  Rivard believed that driver took his place in line and confronted him, refusing to let him exit the vehicle.  Rivard then retrieved the revolver from his vehicle and aimed it at the victim.  

During the investigation, it was also determined that Rivard was intoxicated at the time.  
As a result of this incident, Rivard was released on an O.R. Bond on the following charges.  
-Aggravated Menacing
-Possession of Firearm By Person Prohibited (Intoxicated)
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Disorderly Conduct
-DUI (Alcohol)

The Dover Police Department will once again bring the National Night Out to the Dover community on Tuesday, August 6th 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 Dover Mall, located at 1365 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE.

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 5th consecutive year.  The public is invited to bring personal documents to be shredded beginning at 5:00PM and ending at 8:00PM 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