Month: October 2020

Incident Number: 50-20-27651

Date/Time:  Saturday, October 31st, 2020 at 1210 a.m.

Location:  100 Block of Cherry Street, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Office
Sergeant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: 
The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting of an occupied home that occurred in the 100 Block of Cherry Street.  At approximately 12:10 a.m. on Saturday, October 31st, officers responded to the area for a report of shots fired and a residence being struck.    When officers arrived they observed that the a home occupied by seven people was struck at least twice by gunfire.  None of the occupants were injured in the shooting incident.  

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 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

The temperatures are dropping, days are shorter, and the leaves are changing which also means the holiday season is quickly approaching.  While this time of year is certainly joyous for most, there are many families that struggle to provide for their children during the holidays.  That is especially true in 2020 as many families have suffered income losses as the result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  The Holiday Heroes program by the Dover Police Department is here to help for the 8th consecutive year, but will need the communities help to raise funds.

Traditionally, Holiday Heroes allowed children from the Dover area to pair up with a Dover Police Officer to go shopping for Christmas gifts at the Dover Target store.  However, due to concerns with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Dover Police and Target have made the decision to change the way the program operates for 2020.  Rather than taking children shopping in person, the department will provide assistance in the following ways:
-Have items delivered to families home by officers
-Purchase coats, hats, gloves, other necessities, and toys and donate to local charities and/or schools.
-Have items delivered directly to families homes

“It is incredibly disappointing that we are going to lose the one-on-one bonding time with the children this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but when we spoke with our partners at Target, we all agreed that we had to make this program work in 2020, knowing so many families in our community are struggling right now,” said Sgt. Mark Hoffman who has been a part of the program since it began in 2013.  

Donations are being accepted at the Dover Police Department.  Please call 302-736-7130 or email mark.hoffman@cj.state.de.us to make arrangements for donations.  Donations can be made in the form of cash, Target Gift Cards, or check (payable to Dover Police Holiday Heroes).

Gift cards can also be purchased online and emailed to mark.hoffman@cj.state.de.us

There is no online fundraising campaign for this program. 

All donations must be received by December 1st.  

With the upcoming Halloween events around the City of Dover, the Dover Police Department would like to remind parents, children, and motorists to remain alert and keep safety a top priority during this Halloween season.  While we will have extra officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods on Halloween Night, it is important to take note of the safety tips we have provided below.

Trick or Treat Date/Times:

• Saturday, October 31st 6:00PM-8:00PM (City of Dover)
• Participating homes should have their front lights on
• Households that are not participating should turn off their front lights

Motorist Safety Tips:

• Motorists are asked to drive with an abundance of caution and travel at a reduced speed in residential areas.
• Many children and adults will be walking through residential areas and depending on the availability of sidewalks, may be near or on the roadway.
• Be aware of children inadvertently darting across the street in the path of vehicles.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

• Children should NEVER go Trick or Treating alone.  They should be with a parent/guardian, or a group of friends at all times.
• Stay off of main roadways.
• Costumes should fit properly, with no loose/hanging items.
• Consider face paint instead of masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Trick or Treaters should carry a flashlight at all times.
• Utilize glow sticks and/or reflective tape/material attached to costumes and bags for added visibility.
• Before crossing the street, always look in both directions twice to make sure no vehicles are coming.
• Inspect all candy to ensure it is not tampered with, prior to consuming it.

Covid-19 Safety:
Information on how to celebrate Halloween in a safe manner from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is available at the following link:
HALLOWEEN SAFETY COVID-19

Incident Number: 50-20-27726

Date/Time:  Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 at 5:59 p.m.

Location:  West Division Street and South West Street, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Office
Sergeant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: 
The Dover Police Department arrested a Dover man on gun charges after he pulled a firearm on a person on Wednesday evening.  At approximately 5:59 p.m., officers in the area of West Division Street and South West Street observed Christin Brown (39) pull a handgun and point it at another person in the area, who fled on foot.  It is unknown who that subject was, as they did not contact police.

Officers took Brown into custody without incident.  Brown was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun, three loaded magazines, and a bag with alcoholic beverages.  Brown was also determined to be legally intoxicated at the time officers contacted him.  

Brown was committed to SCI on a $15,001 secured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Firearm While Under the Influence
-Public Intoxication
-Local Fugitive (capias)

Christin brown
Age: 39
Dover, DE

UPDATE:
The Dover Police Department arrested Alphonzo Barlow (54) in connection with the 7-11 armed robbery that occurred on October 27th, 2020.  Barlow (suspect 1 in original release), was identified by detectives during the investigation and arrested without incident on October 28th.  Barlow was charged with Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree.  Barlow was released on an unsecured bond on both charges.

The second suspect is still at large at this time.

Incident Number: 50-20-27651

Date/Time:  Tuesday, October 27th, 2020 at 11:56 p.m.

Location:  7-11, 654 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Office
Sergeant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: 
The Dover Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the 7-11 store on North DuPont Highway on Tuesday night.  At approximately 11:56 p.m., two male suspects entered the business with one suspect demanding cash from an employee while displaying a handgun.  The employee the suspects an undisclosed amount of cash and both fled the scene in an unknown direction.

The suspects were described as:
Suspect 1: Black male, brown knit hat, a mask, tan coveralls or tan coat with tan pants, and black shoes.

Suspect 2: Black male, black face covering, green head covering, blue jacket, blue jeans, and brown shoes/boots.

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 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number: 50-20-27651

Date/Time:  Tuesday, October 27th, 2020 at 11:56 p.m.

Location:  7-11, 654 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Office
Sergeant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: 
The Dover Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the 7-11 store on North DuPont Highway on Tuesday night.  At approximately 11:56 p.m., two male suspects entered the business with one suspect demanding cash from an employee while displaying a handgun.  The employee the suspects an undisclosed amount of cash and both fled the scene in an unknown direction.

The suspects were described as:
Suspect 1: Black male, brown knit hat, a mask, tan coveralls or tan coat with tan pants, and black shoes.

Suspect 2: Black male, black face covering, green head covering, blue jacket, blue jeans, and brown shoes/boots.

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 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Several officers from the Dover Police Department will have a new look for the month of November.  In partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Lodge 15 (Dover Police), the Dover Police Department is allowing officers to grow facial hair as a fundraiser for “No-Shave November.”  Officers who wish to participate must contribute $30 ($1 per day) that will benefit the Delaware Prostate Cancer Coalition.   This is the third consecutive year that the Dover Police Department has participated in “No-Shave November.”  Officers have raised $5,000 between 2018-2019 and have set a goal of $2,500 for 2020, all benefitting the Delaware Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Participating officers must adhere to the following grooming standards for the month of November:
Beards, whether full or goatees, are authorized; however they must be worn with a mustache. Beards shall be kept clean, neatly trimmed, and present a conservative, professional appearance. Facial hair of any kind that presents any sort of faddish appearance is prohibited. No portion of the beard may be exceptionally longer than the rest, and beard hair length will not exceed 1/4 inch. The neck must remain clean-shaven.