Location: South New Street at West Reed Street, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department arrested a 35-year-old Laurel man on gun charges on Tuesday evening. Roderick Dixon was contacted at approximately 9:45PM in the area of S. New Street and W. Reed Street inside a vehicle. Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana while contacting Dixon and located 1.3 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9mm handgun in his possession. Dixon was taken into custody without incident and released on a $9,450 unsecured bond on the following charges:
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (Drug Possession)
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
Date/Time: Friday, February 14th, 2020 at approximately 8:00PM
Location: 900 Block of Carvel Drive, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting of a home that occurred on Friday, February 14th at approximately 8:00PM. The occupied home was struck five times and none of the occupants were injured. The Dover Police Department was called to the area at approximately 8:00PM for a report of shots fired. However, officers checked the area but did not observe any victims nor were they contacted by anyone in the area. On Saturday, February 15th, at approximately 12:00PM, officers were contacted by a resident in the 900 Block of Carvel Drive reporting the damage.
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.
The following images contain the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notifications for the City of Dover. If there any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.
The Dover Police Department swore in it’s 15th police chief in its 95th year of serving the City of Dover during a ceremony on Thursday evening in the Chief James L. Hutchison Public Assembly Room at the Dover Police Department.
Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. took the Oath of Office with Mayor Robin R. Christiansen as his wife, Janice Johnson, held the same bible that has been used to swear in each officer of the Dover Police Department. After taking the Oath of Office, Chief Johnson received a standing ovation from the crowd that gathered to recognize the historical occasion.
Chief Johnson is only the second police chief in department history to be hired from outside the ranks of the department, with the last being on May 16, 1949, when Mayor William J. Storey recruited James E. Turner Sr., a Major with the Delaware State Police, to serve as the Chief of Police; a position he held for over 18 years.
Chief Johnson thanked many in his speech, including his family, friends, and colleagues from the Upper Darby Police Department for helping him reach this milestone in his career of public service, further stating:
“This is an incredible moment in my life. The list of folks that I need to say ‘Thank you’ to is impossible for me to accomplish in just one moment at one podium. Someone who has been in my position said, Take a moment to try and make eye contact with everybody because there’s only one of these and you’ve got to try to absorb it. I wish you could see what I see right now, because I see quality, I see service, I see dedication, I see commitment, I see family, I see all the things that anybody with any common sense would want to be around.”
Chief Johnson later commented what members of the Dover Police Department can expect during his tenure as Chief of Police:
“Some folks are kind of curious what they can expect. The short answer that I can give you is you can expect my very best. I will be one-hundred percent focused on taking what I already know is an incredible organization and trying to figure out a way to make it even better. The bar has been set high. I will lead. I will make decisions. But everybody that comes into contact with me will know a couple of things: that there will always be honor around everything that I do and everything that we do, there will always be just actions and just decisions, there will be fairness and there will be a positive, forward-looking culture to be a part of if you choose to walk through those doors of the Dover Police Department and jump on board.”
Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. takes the Oath of Office of the Chief of Police wit Mayor Robin Christiansen, as his wife, Janice, holds the bible.Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr.
CHIEF THOMAS A. JOHNSON, JR. BIO
Thomas Johnson, Jr. began his career in law enforcement as a Patrol Officer with the Upper Darby Police Department in May of 1996. He advanced to Criminal Investigator and then Sergeant in the Detective Division for five years leading into his promotion to Lieutenant in 2007. After five years supervising a uniform patrol platoon, Johnson earned promotion to Captain in 2012. In February of 2020, Johnson retired as a Captain with the Upper Darby Police Department to accept the Police Chief position with the Dover Police Department.
During his career with the Upper Darby Police Department Chief Johnson served in the Patrol Unit, Detective Division, Administrative Division, and the Division of Training and Professional Standards.
Chief Johnson is cross-trained as a firefighter and paramedic and is a 35 year volunteer with the East Lansdowne Fire Department.
Chief Johnson has an undergraduate degree in Emergency Management and Planning from Delaware County Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University.
His Master’s is in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.
He is a graduate of Penn State University’s Police Executive Development program, the FBI Inter-County Detective School, the National Fire Academy Fire and Arson program and, most recently, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
Over the course of his career, Chief Johnson has received more than 25 department commendations with the Upper Darby Police Department. He is a two-time recipient of the Mayor’s Service Award and was recognized by the Upper Darby Marine Corps League as their 2001 Officer of the Year. The Delaware County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has twice recognized Chief Johnson as a top DUI enforcer.
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 at 5:05PM
Location: Parking Lot of 111 S. West Street, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department arrested four juveniles on robbery charges after a Wednesday afternoon incident in the parking lot of 111 S. West Street. At approximately 5:05PM, officers responded to the parking lot after it was reported that several juveniles attempted to rob a 19-year-old male. Officers observed four juveniles running from the area and were able to apprehend each one. The investigation revealed that the four suspects approached the victim and two other subjects near a Nissan Altima in the parking lot, where the victim was in the back seat. One of the suspects opened the rear door and the victim attempted to stop the suspects. At that time one of the suspects (West) displayed a loaded .22 caliber handgun and the victim/subjects fled in their vehicle. West was found in possession of the gun when he was apprehended by police.
Charmize Seymore-West (16) was committed to a juvenile detention facility on $147,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Aggravated Menacing
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Zyair Garner (17) was committed to a juvenile detention facility on $141,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Aggravated Menacing
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Jason Cruz (17) was committed to a juvenile detention facility on $151,000 cash bond on the following charges:
-Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Xavier Cruz (17) was committed to a juvenile detention facility on $151,000 cash bond on the following charges:
-Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
The Dover Police Department is releasing the name and further details of the Monday morning shooting on Reed Street. Tiffany Montgomery, a 34-year-old female from the Dover area was the victim who died as a result of a gunshot wound to her upper body. During the investigation, officers discovered a 5th victim. The 5th victim refused medical attention and was contacted as officers were conducting the investigation. The 5th victim is a 42-year-old male who was shot twice, once in the shoulder, and another round struck the victim’s ear.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. 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 Number: 50-20-4832
Date/Time: Monday, February 10, 2020 at 1:54AM
Location: 200 Block of West Reed Street, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed one person and wounded three others, early Monday morning. At approximately 1:54AM, officers responded to the 200 Block of West Reed Street for multiple shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers located a 27-year-old female with a wound to her foot, a 39-year-old male with an injury to his shoulder, a 45-year-old male with a leg injury, and a deceased victim.
Details on the deceased victim are being withheld pending next of kin notifications.
All of the victims sustained gunshot wounds. The surviving victims’ injuries are not life-threatening.
An update will be provided once next of kin notifications have been made.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. 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.
Location: 200 Block of West Reed Street, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed one person and wounded three others, early Monday morning. At approximately 1:54AM, officers responded to the 200 Block of West Reed Street for multiple shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers located a 27-year-old female with a wound to her foot, a 39-year-old male with an injury to his shoulder, a 45-year-old male with a leg injury, and a deceased victim.
Details on the deceased victim are being withheld pending next of kin notifications.
All of the victims sustained gunshot wounds. The surviving victims’ injuries are not life-threatening.
An update will be provided once next of kin notifications have been made.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. 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.
Date/Time: Sunday, February 9th, 2020 between 6:00PM-6:26PM
Location: Rear of 217 S. New Street (Capitol Cleaners), 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 evening. Sometime between 6:00PM and 6:26PM, a 67-year-old female was walking through the rear of Capitol Cleaners at 217 S. New Street, towards the Family Dollar store. She was approached by a male suspect who shoved her to the ground and demanded her money. The suspect went through the victims pockets, taking an undisclosed amount of cash. The victim attempted to fight off the suspect, but the suspect was able to flee with her cash. The female victim reported the incident at the Dover Police Department. She was transported to Kent General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries to her face, hands, and teeth.
The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 18-20 years of age, 5’6″, 160 pounds, wearing a black “do-rag”, camouflage jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
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.
