Month: August 2019

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-27567

Date/Time:  Thursday, August 29th, 2019 at 10:11PM

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

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery of a pizza delivery employee that occurred early on Thursday night.  At approximately 10:11PM, a delivery employee attempted to deliver food at a residence in the Dover East Estates Mobile Home Park.  Upon arrival, a male suspect was waiting for him.  While speaking with the suspect, a second suspect entered the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and punched him.  The first suspect grabbed the victim around the head and threatened to stab him if he did not give him money.  The suspects then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and food.  The first suspect was described as a male in his early 20’s, Hispanic, and 6’0″ in height, approximately 200 pounds.  The second suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his early 20’s.  

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 may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-27476

Date/Time:  Thursday, August 29th, 2019 at 12:39AM

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

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery of a pizza delivery employee that occurred early on Thursday morning.  At approximately 12:39AM, a delivery employee attempted to deliver food at a residence in the Dover East Estates Mobile Home Park.  Upon arrival, a male suspect was waiting for him and asked if the employee had change for a $100.  The employee told him he did not, then the suspect punched the employee and fled with the food he was holding.  The suspect was described as a male in his late teens-early 20’s, hispanic, and 5’8″-5’10” in height.  

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 may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-27432

Date/Time:  Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 at 3:33PM

Location:  300 Block of N. Bradford Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department and Delaware Probation and Parole arrested two men on drug charges on Wednesday afternoon.  At approximately 3:33PM, officers stopped Chrys Atanga (21) and Charles Ndikum (25) for a motor vehicle violation.  Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and both men were detained without incident.  Delaware Probation and Parole officers then executed an administrative search on a residence in the 300 Block of N. Bradford Street since Ndikum is a probationer.  During the following search, a total of 598.8 grams of marijuana was located inside the home, as well as packaging material, digital scales, and cash suspected to be drug proceeds.

Atanga was out on bond during this incident after being arrested on drug charges and striking two officers with his vehicle three days prior.

Ndikum was out on an O.R. bond stemming from charges just from one day earlier when he was contacted by officers for a loitering complaint at approximately 3:31PM at a WAWA in North Dover.  Ndikum fled from officers, dropping approximately 14 grams of marijuana before being apprehended and charged with Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of Marijuana, Disorderly Conduct, and Loitering.

As a result of the August 28th incident, Atanga was committed to SCI in default of $33,150 cash bond on the following charges:
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Various Traffic Violations

As a result of the August 28th incident, Ndikum was committed to SCI for a Violation of Probation and was charged with the following offenses:
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-26527

Date/Time:  Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 at 7:47PM

Location:  Unit Block of Ann Avenue, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a possible homicide as the result of an incident that occurred on August 20th.  At approximately 7:47PM, officers responded to the Unit Block of Ann Avenue for a report of an argument and a possible emergency medical situation.  Upon arrival, Gerard Landry (39) was located with a severe head injury.  Landry was transported to Kent General Hospital for treatment.  Landry succumbed to his injury on August 25th, 2019.  During the time Landry was hospitalized, it was unknown what had caused his head injury and Landry could not communicate with investigators or medical personnel as a result of his condition.  Once an autopsy was completed, it was determined that Landry’s death was a homicide, with the injury being caused by another person.  

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 may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-27079

Date/Time:  Sunday, August 25th, 2019 at 10:10PM

Location:  Dover Mart Shopping Center, 200 Block of S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

Two Dover Police officers escaped injury after being struck by a fleeing vehicle while on a traffic stop on Sunday night.  At approximately 10:10PM, an officer observed a black Acura TL being operated by 21-year-old Chrys Atanga, in the area of Division Street and S. DuPont Highway without headlights on.  The officer stopped Atanga in the parking lot of Dover Mart shopping center, located in the 200 Block of S. DuPont Highway.  When the officer approached, a strong odor of marijuana was detected.  When a second officer arrived to assist, they asked Atanga to exit the vehicle, and he refused.  Atanga then struggled with officers and put the car in reverse, striking both officers with the vehicle.  Atanga then fled through the shopping center parking lot onto S. DuPont Highway.  A short time later, Atanga was taken into custody at a residence in the 300 Block of N. Bradford Street.  The vehicle that Atanga was operating was found parked in the 200 Block of North State Street.  A search of that vehicle led to the discovery of 239.8 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and various paraphernalia.  

Atanga was released after posting $32,255 secured bond on the following charges:
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (2x)
-Possession of Deadly Weapon During Commission of Felony
-Resisting Arrest with Force (Felony Resisting)
-Offensive Touching of Law Enforcement (2x)
-Disregard Police Signal
-Possession With Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Multiple Traffic Violations

On July 30^th, the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, released the approved funding allocations for the annual formula based Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for the FY2019 Local Solicitation.  The Dover Police Department was listed as a disparate entity along with the Smyrna Police Department and Kent County, Delaware.  The total amount awarded this year is $60,528.00

As a result, the Dover Police Department, Smyrna Police Department and Kent County will submit a joint application for the funds.  Kent County does not qualify for direct funding because they are not involved with providing criminal justice services, so the whole amount will be available for use by the Dover and Smyrna Police Departments. 

Following is a breakout of the funding and how each agency will use their portion:

The deadline for the joint application is August 23^rd and will be submitted through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Program’s Grants Management System electronically on-line. 

Public comments and questions are welcome by contacting
Robin Adkins at 302-736-4446 or email robin.adkins@cj.state.de.us