Month: January 2021

Incident Number: 50-21-2207/2220

Date/Time:  Monday, January 25th, 2021

Location: See Narrative

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department arrested Maria Martinez (27) for two robberies that occurred on Monday, January 25th.  The first incident occurred at the WAWA convenience store located at 298 S. DuPont Highway.  A 46-year-old male was using the indoor ATM at the business at approximately 11:42 a.m. when Martinez approached him and asked for cash.  The male refused and Martinez sprayed him with pepper spray.  While the victim was suffering the affects of the spray, Martinez removed an undisclosed amount of cash from his hand and fled the area.  Arriving officers utilized video surveillance and witness accounts to obtain a description of Martinez who was wearing a purple jacket, white shirt, blue jeans, and black Nike shoes.

At approximately 1:02 p.m., officers were called to TJ Maxx, located at 1091 N. DuPont Highway for a report of another robbery.  Upon arrival, officers contacted a 45-year-old male who works as a manager of the business.  The victim advised that Martinez was observed concealing merchandise inside of a large suitcase.  The victim approached Martinez and escorted her to the front of the store.  At that time, Martinez sprayed the victim with pepper spray and fled on foot.  Arriving officers took Martinez into custody and returned $405 worth of merchandise to the business.  Martinez was wearing the same clothing from the WAWA robbery at the time of her arrest.

Both victims refused medical attention.

While Martinez was in custody at the Dover Police Department, she intentionally coughed on officers and stated she was Covid-19 positive.  A later test showed that Martinez did not have Covid-19 at the time of her arrest.

Martinez was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $24,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Robbery 1st Degree (2x)
-Disorderly Conduct (2x)
-Offensive Touching-Saliva
-Terroristic Threatening
-Endangering the Welfare of a Child

The Dover Police Department is announcing the promotions of 29 officers dating back to January of 2020.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on indoor gatherings, the department delayed multiple planned ceremonies in hopes of being able to properly recognize and celebrate the officers’ accomplishments.  On January 21st, the department held a socially distant and scaled down ceremony at the Dover Police Department with each officer being recognized individually by Chief Thomas Johnson and Mayor Robin Christiansen.  

Major David Spicer was promoted from the rank of Captain and will serve as the Deputy Chief of the Dover Police Department.

Captain Christopher Hermance was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant and will serve as the Administrative Division Commander.

Captain Kevin Kober was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant and will serve as the head of the Office of Professional Standards.

Captain Randy Robbins was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant and will serve as the Operations Division Commander.

Lieutenant Aaron Dickinson was promoted from the rank of Sergeant and will serve as the Criminal Investigations Unit Commander.

Lieutenant Paul Kuntzi was promoted from the rank of Sergeant and will serve as the Special Enforcement Unit Commander.

Lieutenant Jordan Miller was promoted from the rank of Sergeant and will serve as the Patrol Unit Commander.

Lieutenant Robert “Ernie” Roswell was promoted from the rank of Sergeant and will serve as the Internal Affairs Commander.

Sergeant Bernardo “Frank” Fioravaniti was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will serve as a platoon leader on the patrol unit.

Sergeant Jeffrey Gott was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will serve as a platoon leader on the patrol unit.

Sergeant Mark Hoffman was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will continue to serve as the Public Information Officer for the department.

Sergeant Jennifer Lynch was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will serve as a platoon leader on the patrol unit.

Sergeant Christopher Peer was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will serve as the Community Policing Supervisor.

Sergeant Kevin Streadwick was promoted from the rank of Master Corporal and will serve as the Criminal Investigations Unit Supervisor.

Master Corporal Joshua Boesenberg was promoted from the rank of Corporal and will continue to serve in the Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit and the ATF Task Force.

Master Corporal Brian Gedney was promoted from the rank of Corporal and will serve as a section leader on the patrol unit.

Master Corporal Scott Hurd was promoted from the rank of Corporal and will serve as a section leader on the patrol unit.

Master Corporal Anthony Toto was promoted from the rank of Corporal and will serve as a section leader on the patrol unit.

Master Corporal Nathaniel Warren was promoted from the rank of Corporal and will serve as a section leader in the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Master Corporal Joseph Bauer was promoted  from the rank of Corporal and will serve as a section leader on the patrol unit.

Corporal James Johnson was promoted from the rank of Patrolman First Class and will continue to serve in the Street Crimes Unit.

Corporal Brooks Ogden was promoted from the rank of Patrolman First Class and will continue to serve as a K9 officer on the patrol unit.

Corporal Jacob Rankin was promoted from the rank of Patrolman First Class and will continue to serve as a detective in the Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit.

Corporal Ryan Schmid was promoted from the rank of Patrolman First Class and will continue to serve as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Corporal James Wood was promoted from the rank of Patrolman First Class and will continue to serve as a CSI detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Patrolman First Class Kody Frye was promoted from the rank of Patrolman and will continue to serve as a patrol officer on the patrol unit.

Patrolman First Class Nate Weir was promoted from the rank of Patrolman and will continue to serve as a patrol officer on the patrol unit.

Patrolman First Class Alvin Hudson was promoted from the rank of Patrolman and will continue to serve as a patrol officer on the patrol unit.

Patrolwoman First Class Melissa Lake was promoted from the rank of Patrolwoman and will continue to serve as a patrol officer on the patrol unit.

Incident Number: 50-21-2121

Date/Time:  Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at 8:03 p.m.

Location: New Castle Avenue and River Road, 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 three suspects on drugs and firearms charges on Saturday night after a vehicle pursuit.  Officers  working a “Project Safe Neighborhood” assignment stopped DeShawn Riley (22) for driving without headlights at approximately 8:03 p.m. in the area of New Castle Avenue and River Road in the Capital Green neighborhood.  When officers approached, they observed five total subjects in the vehicle, including Charles Livingston (20), George Robinson (24), and two other unknown black male suspects.  During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and called for assistance due to the number of occupants in the vehicle.

As backup officers arrived, the officers once again approached the vehicle.  Riley put the vehicle in Drive and fled, nearly striking an officer with the vehicle.  The officers entered their patrol vehicle and pursued the suspect vehicle onto S. DuPont Highway from River Road. The suspects continued on S. DuPont Highway and turned onto S. State Street, eventually turning east on Route 10/Lebanon Road.  The suspect vehicle struck a curb on Route 10 and stopped just east of S. State Street.  All five occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Dover officers, assisted by Delaware State Police were able to apprehend Riley, Livingston, and Robinson.  Robinson was found in the parking lot of Christ Memorial Baptist Church after he placed a grey plastic bag into a dumpster.  After taking Robinson into custody, officers found that Robinson was carrying a 9mm handgun on his person.  Officers then located the bag in the dumpster and discovered another 9mm handgun.  A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 50 grams of marijuana.

DeShawn Riley was committed to SCI on a $40,750 secured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Resisting Arrest
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Possession of Marijuana

Charles Livingston was committed to SCI on a $41,500 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Resisting Arrest
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Possession of Marijuana

George Robinson was committed to SCI on a $76,500 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony (2x)
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon (2x)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Resisting Arrest
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Reckless Endangering 2nd Degree
-Drug Paraphernalia

Incident Number: 50-21-2037

Date/Time:  Friday, January 22nd, 2021 at 10:20 p.m.

Location: Paul Street at Irma 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 Antwoine Price (22) on weapon charges during a traffic stop on Friday evening.  At approximately 10:20 p.m., a patrol officers working a “Project Safe Neighborhood” assignment stopped Price for traffic violations in the area of Paul Street and Irma Street.  During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  A 9mm handgun was later found under the driver’s seat and 6.2 grams of  marijuana were also located inside of the vehicle. 

Price was committed to SCI on a $10,900 cash bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Breach of Release
-Conspiracy 3rd Degree
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Traffic Offenses

Jason Brewster (18) was a passenger in the vehicle and released on the following charges:
-Conspiracy 3rd Degree
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia

Update: The Dover Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with the January 4th shooting of a 21-year-old male (see below) in the Manchester Square community.  The juvenile was taken into custody without incident on January 21st.  The juvenile was committed to Stevenson House on a $61,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Possession of Deadly Weapon During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Incident Number: 50-21-278

Date/Time:  Monday, January 4th, 2021 at 3:48 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Stevenson Drive (Manchester Square), 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 a 21-year-old male that occurred on Monday afternoon.  At approximately 3:48 p.m. officers responded to the Unit Block of Stevenson Drive in the Manchester Square neighborhood for a report of a shooting that occurred inside of a residence.  Arriving officers located the 21-year-old victim inside a residence with a single gunshot wound to the torso.  The male victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for treatment of his injury.  No further information is available at this time.

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: 50-21-1717

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 at 3:14 p.m.

Location: White Oak Road and Nimitz Road, 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 two men on firearms and drug charges during a traffic stop on Tuesday afternoon.  Officers stopped Tyler Scott (21) in the area of White Oak Road and Nimitz Road for a traffic violation.  When officers approached the vehicle, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  Officers had Scott and the passenger (Kinon Teat, 26) exit the vehicle.  During a search, officers located a loaded .45 caliber handgun with an extended magazine holding 30 rounds of ammunition.

Tyler Scott was committed to JTVCC on a $42,350 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia

Kinon Teat was committed to SCI on a $32,300 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia

Update:
The Gold Alert for Jazmien Gonzales has been cancelled.  Gonzales was located after she called her parents late Tuesday evening.  

Incident Number: 50-21-1728

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5:08 pm.

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

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

Summary: 

The Dover Police Department is issuing a gold alert for a missing 14-year-old girl.  Jazmien Gonzales was last seen voluntarily leaving her home in the 100 Block of North New Street.  Gonzales left her phone and shoes at home and was last seen barefoot and wearing gray and black sweatpants and a gray hooded sweatshirt.  Gonzales takes medication for a condition that pay pose a threat to her safety if not properly monitored.

If you have any information on Gonzales’ whereabouts, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.

Incident Number: 50-21-1728

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5:08 pm.

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

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

Summary: 

The Dover Police Department is issuing a gold alert for a missing 14-year-old girl.  Jazmien Gonzales was last seen voluntarily leaving her home in the 100 Block of North New Street.  Gonzales left her phone and shoes at home and was last seen barefoot and wearing gray and black sweatpants and a gray hooded sweatshirt.  Gonzales takes medication for a condition that pay pose a threat to her safety if not properly monitored.

If you have any information on Gonzales’ whereabouts, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.