Month: January 2021

Incident Number: 50-21-966

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at 10:38 a.m.

Location: 800 Block of Townsend Boulevard, 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 Shaheed Berry on weapons and drug offenses during  traffic stop on Tuesday morning.  At approximately 10:38 a.m., officers observed Berry operating a vehicle in the 800 Block of Townsend Boulevard.  A computer check revealed that Berry had a suspended license.  When officers stopped Berry, they observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view inside of the vehicle.  After taking Berry into custody, officers located the following items:
-loaded .357 revolver
-3 grams of “bath salts”
-10.7 grams of methamphetamine
-1.204 grams of heroin
.5 grams of marijuana

Berry was committed to SCI on $65,000 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2x)
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession with Intent to Deliver (3x)
-Possession of Controlled Substance (2x)
-Drug Paraphernalia

The Dover Police Department presented local resident, Michael Babiak with the Distinguished Citizen Award on Friday, January 8th in a small ceremony at the Dover Police Department.  The Distinguished Citizen Service Award may be awarded to any private citizen who has performed an exceptional deed or assisted members of the Department in the performance of their duties without regard to their personal safety.

Mr. Babiak received this award due to his selfless actions in helping an officer who was pursuing an armed suspect on December 28th, 2020, at a minimum preventing a more significant event from occurring and possibly saving the lives of the officer, area residents, and the suspect.

See Story:
Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested with Firearm and Heroin After Fleeing from Police

Chief Thomas A. Johnson Jr. read the following statement recognizing Mr. Babiak’s actions:

   Around noon on Monday, December 28, 2020 the Dover Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from a domestic violence victim.  In the presence of her child, a victim had been physically assaulted by her boyfriend in their room at the Red Roof Inn located in the 600 Block of N. DuPont Highway.  The initial victim provided the dispatcher a physical description of the suspect, as he had already fled the scene, and the call was broadcast to police units on duty in the area. 

   A subject matching the broadcast description was observed on foot in the 800 Block of N. State Street.  This individual immediately fled upon the approach of uniform Officers.  The subsequent foot pursuit moved across an open property toward the intersection of Overlook Place and Vista Avenue.

   The person we honor today, Mr. Michael Babiak, is a resident of the Overlook neighborhood who was outside of his home playing soccer with his family.  He observed the police activity coming in his direction and made eye contact with Master Corporal Ian Thompson who was running directly behind the suspect.  When M/Cpl. Thompson yelled for Mr. Babiak to “get inside!”, Mike thought he yelled “get him!” 

   With a rapidly evolving situation before him, and very little time to consider his options, Mr. Babiak immediately moved in on the suspect’s path of travel.  As he made this decision, the suspect was beginning to focus his attention on M/Cpl. Thompson and produced a .45 Cal. Semi-automatic pistol from his jacket pocket. 

   Before the suspect could further his actions, Mr. Babiak tackled him by surprise, from beyond his field of vision.  The impact of the two men caused the weapon to come free from the suspect’s hand and fall to the ground.  Mr. Babiak followed through by holding the suspect in what has been described as a “bear hug” until Officers could take the suspect into police custody. 

   It was later determined that the pistol was loaded and the identifying marks had been destroyed. Also recovered from the suspect was a quantity of pre-packaged heroin in an amount that met the definition of felony “intent to distribute.” At the time of this presentation, the suspect remains in custody pending his first court appearance.

   I became aware of these events when M/Cpl. Thompson submitted Mr. Babiak for the Dover Police Department “Distinguished Citizen Service Award”.  In that submission, M/Cpl. Thompson remarked that “…I am extremely grateful for Michael Babiak’s bravery, and disregard for his own safety, which may have saved my life.” 

   This statement alludes to all of the potentially tragic outcomes that might have transpired had Mike not acted how and when he did. If the suspect chose to engage in a gun fight, he would have certainly had the advantage of firing first, at an Officer with a holstered weapon, and no appreciable cover. There is a very high likelihood that his gun fire would have been met with justified return fire. 

   Serious bodily injury, or death, may have been the result to Officers, innocent civilians and of course the suspect, if Mr. Babiak did not react in such an exemplary fashion.  Mr. Babiak does not work in the public safety profession.  The foot chase was about to enter a residential neighborhood at the time Mike put a stop to it.  He was not aware of the firearm until after it fell from the suspect’s hand.

   In my view, the fact that Mr. Babiak did not make his decision with the knowledge of the firearm’s presence, or a complete understanding of the potential consequences, does not diminish from the courage he displayed in defense of his family and community. 

In his mind, he had been called to serve and he answered it quickly and effectively. 

How to Succeed in the Hiring Process Seminar January 30th, 2021 

The Dover Police Department will hold a “How to Succeed in the Hiring Process” seminar on Saturday, January 30th, 2021 in the Public Assembly Room of the Dover Police Department.  The Dover Police Department is located at 400 S. Queen Street, Dover, DE 19904.  The seminar is open to anyone interested in a career with the Dover Police Department as a police officer and will include information about the hiring process, application assistance, specialized units of the agency, and a tour of the police department.  You do not have to submit an application prior to attending.  Doors will open at 8:30AM and close promptly at 9:00AM with no late admittance permitted.  The seminars typically end by 11:00AM.

DUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
To register, please e-mail Master Corporal Rich at:
caleb.rich@cj.state.de.us

Incident Number: 50-21-381

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 at 10:20 p.m.

Location: Parking Lot of Red Roof Inn, 652 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 arrested Kyle Batson (22) on firearm charges on Tuesday night.  At approximately 10:20 p.m., officers were in the area of the Red Roof Inn and 7-11 in the 600 Block of North DuPont Highway for an unrelated trespassing complaint.  While there, officers observed Batson inside of the 7-11 store and then walk to the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn.  Officers who were familiar with Batson found that he was wanted on a shoplifting charge from December of 2020.  The officers contacted Batson and took him into custody.  While searching Batson, a loaded firearm was found on his person as well as drug paraphernalia.  The firearm was later determined to be reported stolen in October of 2020.  

Batson was committed to SCI on an $8,200 secured bond on the following charges:
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Receiving Stolen Firearm
-Drug Paraphernalia

Incident Number: 50-21-357

Date/Time:  Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 at 3:25 p.m.

Location: Area of Spruance Road and White Oak 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 is investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the area of Spruance and White Oak Roads on Tuesday afternoon.  At approximately 3:25 p.m. a 44-year-old female was driving east on White Oak Road when she heard several gunshots and then hearing her vehicle get struck once.  The victim’s vehicle was struck on the rear quarter panel.  A nearby residence in the 1100 Block of White Oak Road was also struck several times.  No injuries occurred as a result of this 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.

Incident Number: 50-21-290

Date/Time:  Monday, January 4th, 2021 at 6:44 p.m.

Location: 910 Whatcoat Drive, Dover, DE (Whatcoat Apartments)

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

Narrative: 
The Dover Police Department arrested two juvenile males following the robbery of a food delivery driver.  The driver was making a delivery to the 910 building on Whatcoat Drive when a suspect answered the door with a handgun,  At that time, other suspects took money and food from the driver and closed the door to the apartment.  The driver then notified police.  Officers were able to identify a 14 and 15-year old suspect in the case and took them into custody without incident after locating them during a search of the area.  

Both suspects were charged with the following offenses:
-Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

The 14-year-old was released on a $51,000 unsecured bond.  The 15-year-old was committed to Stevenson House on a $51,000 secured bond.