Month: August 2020

Incident Number: 50-20-20699

Date/Time:  Friday, August 21st, 2020 at 9:41 a.m.

Location:  Planned Parenthood, 805 S. Governors Avenue, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   Sergeant Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested a 31-year-old Wilmington man on gun charges stemming from an incident that occurred in the parking lot of Planned Parenthood on Friday morning.  Officers responded to the area after receiving calls from a group of pro-life demonstrators that a man (later identified as Jerome Aniska) had pulled a handgun on the group.  Witnesses to the incident then saw Aniska go the trunk of his vehicle prior to police arrival.  

The investigation revealed that Aniska engaged with the pro-life demonstrators that were on the public sidewalk and an argument ensued.  During this argument, Aniska pulled out a black handgun and made a threatening statement to the group.

Officers located an empty holster in the center console of the vehicle and located a black 9mm handgun in the trunk of the car.

Aniska was released on $26,000 unsecured bond on the following offenses:
-Aggravated Menacing (2x)
-Terroristic Threatening (2x)
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony

On July 9^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 FY20 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 $58,395.

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 19^th 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.  

Please e-mail: Mark.Hoffman@cj.State.de.us or call 302-736-7130 for comments and questions.

Incident Number: 50-20-20118

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 15th, 2020 at 11:16 a.m.

Location:  Parking Lot of 411 S. Queen Street, Dover, DE (Queen’s Manor)

Officer Releasing Information:   Sergeant Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested Tiffany Burkett (36) on weapons charged following a domestic related incident on Saturday, August 15th.  At approximately 11:16 a.m., officers responded to the parking lot of Queen’s Manor for a report that Burkett was chasing a male victim in the parking lot, while carrying a firearm.  Responding officers located the pair in the DART Bus Transit Station at Queen Street and Water Street.  After several commands being given by Dover police officers, Burkett dropped her weapon and was taken into custody.  The following investigation revealed that Burkett had chased the male victim from New Street and fired three shots at him over a domestic related incident.

The firearm (.38 revolver) was found to be stolen in a burglary that occurred on the morning of August 15th, 2020.

Tiffany Burkett was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $34,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Receiving a Stolen Firearm

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program that meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:00p.m-9:00pm.  The academy will begin on September 15th and ends on November 10th, 2020.  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.

The application deadline for 2020 is September 4th.

Due to social distancing guidelines (Covid-19), there are LIMITED spots available for the 2020 class.

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 two ways to obtain an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy
1-2020 Citizen’s Police Academy Application (Download/Print/Mail-In)
2-COMPLETE APPLICATION ONLINE (preferred method)

Media representatives are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Contact

For further information contact:

Sgt. Lawson or M/Cpl. Rich
Planning and Training Unit
Dover Police Department
400 S. Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
(302)-736-4461
derek.lawson@cj.state.de.us
caleb.rich@cj.state.de.us

Incident Number: 50-20-19555

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 8th, 2020 at 2:22PM

Location:  100 Block of South New Street, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   Sergeant Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested Thomas Bolden (21) on drug and firearms charges on Saturday afternoon.  Bolden was observed in the area of S. New Street at approximately 2:22PM by officers who were aware he was wanted by Dover Police for Receiving Stolen Property after operating a stolen vehicle from Wilmington, DE.  When Bolden was contacted he fled on foot towards South Queen Street.  Bolden removed a 9mm handgun from his waistband and threw it in a backyard while running.  Bolden was taken into custody after falling to the ground.  Bolden was in possession of 39 baggies of heroin when arrested.

Bolden was committed to HRYCI on a $71,200 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Drug Paraphernalia

Incident Number: 50-20-19204

Date/Time:  Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 at 2:28PM

Location:  Area of South New Street and Reed Street, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   Sergeant Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting of a vehicle that occurred on Tuesday afternoon.  At approximately 2:28 p.m., in the area of South New Street and Reed Street, unknown suspect(s) shot the vehicle’s engine compartment multiple times, causing it to become disabled.  The suspects fled in an unknown vehicle.  The 35-year-old male victim was uncooperative with detectives trying to investigate the incident.  No injuries were reported to police.

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 delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.