Month: July 2021

The Dover Police Department is adding a four-legged friend to their agency and it’s not your typical K9 officer.  In a partnership with Canine Companions, the Dover Police Department is proud to announce the arrival of Roy, a Labrador and Golden Retriever Mix, as their new Facility Dog.  The Dover Police Department became interested in a facility dog program after meeting Nikko with the New Castle County (Delaware) Police Department and learning about the success their agency has had with the program.  Established in 1975, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of service dogs in the United States.  Their presence in Delaware isn’t limited to the New Castle County and Dover Police Departments.  The University of Delaware hosts the largest collegiate puppy raising program in the Canine Companion organization, with anywhere from 5-9 dogs being raised on campus at any time.

Roy, who is named after Roy Gold, a late volunteer with Canine Companions, was matched with PFC Lee Killen during a two-week training program in Long Island, New York after being raised in New Hampshire.  Officer Killen and Roy will be assigned to the Dover Police Department’s Community Policing Unit.  Roy’s primary role with the department will be to serve as an ambassador for the department, attending community outreach events, meetings, school visits, and used to help calm and comfort crime victims, witnesses, and anyone else who may be afraid, uncomfortable, or nervous during a situation.  In the short time that Roy has been with the Dover Police Department, he has already become the most popular officer in the building. 

Chief Thomas Johnson made the following statement regarding Roy’s arrival:  “Like every other member of the Dover PD team, Roy is a highly trained professional with a love for service. He has a skill set beyond comfort and therapy, and clearly different from our other working dogs.  This makes him a perfect addition to our Community Policing mission.  He has something to offer everyone, but perhaps his most valuable skill is getting people together in moments filled with positivity.  He will make Dover even stronger than it already is.  Welcome aboard Roy!”

Roy and his handler will be attending the Dover Police Department’s National Night Out on August 3rd, 2021 at the Dover High School where the public can meet him at his first large community event.

Canine Companions Fact Sheet

Incident Number: 50-21-22229

Date/Time:  Wednesday, July 28th, 2021 at 3:18 p.m.

Location: 400 Block of New Castle Avenue, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department and Delaware Probation and Parole arrested Gregory Robinson (20) on Wednesday afternoon.  Officers received information that Robinson, who was on Level 3 probation, was in possession of a handgun.  Robinson also has an active Protection From Abuse (PFA) against him by the owner of the home and a No Contact Order with an occupant of the home that he was in.  Both of the subjects who had the order against him were also inside the residence when officers made contact.  During a search of the residence, officers located a handgun, ammunition, 10.2 grams of marijuana, and multiple digital scales.  Robinson was taken into custody without incident and committed to SCI on a $83,200 cash bond in addition to a Violation of Probation on the following offenses:
-Possession of a Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Possession of a Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited with Active PFA/No Contact Order (4x)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Breach of Release (2x)
-Drug Paraphernalia

UPDATE (August 3rd, 2021): The Gold Alert for Christopher Naylor has been cancelled after he was located by Delaware State Police on August 3rd, 2021.  

Incident Number: 50-21-22276

Date/Time:  Thursday, June 29th, 2021 at 2:30 a.m.

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 is issuing a Gold Alert for a 37-year-old Smyrna man.  Christopher Naylor was last seen on July 28th, 2021 at approximately 10:00 p.m. at the Sleep Inn located at 1784 N. DuPont Highway.  Naylor is a white male, 6’1″ tall, approximately 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.  A clothing description was not available at the time of the report.  Naylor made statements to a relative that are cause for concern for his health and safety.  

If you have any information on Naylor’s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111.

Incident Number: 50-21-21898

Date/Time:  Sunday, July 25th, 2021 at 10:32 p.m.

Location: 500 Block of Ann Moore Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

A domestic burglary suspect is awaiting extradition from Maryland following an incident in Dover.  On July 25th, at 10:32 p.m., officers were called to the 500 Block of Ann Moore Street after a female victim notified officers that Trovarus Eley (41) was inside of her home despite having a Protection From Abuse Order against him.  Officers checked the residence but saw no signs of forced entry.  Officers left the residence but stayed nearby.  A short time later, Eley was seen leaving the residence in a vehicle.  When officers attempted to stop him, Eley continued to drive, leading police throughout the Dover area.  A Dover officer deployed stop sticks, striking several of the suspect’s tires in the area of Bertrand Drive and Forrest Avenue.  Eley continued to drive westbound on Forrest Avenue, eventually making it to Route 301 in Maryland. Officers continued to pursue the vehicle for approximately 26 miles, but discontinued due to safety concerns as they approached the Bay Bridge and the tires on Eley’s vehicle continued to deteriorate.  Eley continued to cross the Bay Bridge and eventually stopped in the area of Exit 32 when the vehicle became disabled.  Eley was taken into custody by Maryland State Police and Maryland Transit Authority without incident.  Eley was charged with DUI by Maryland officials and being held in Maryland pending extradition to Delaware on the below charges:

-Burglary 2nd Degree
-Violation of PFA
-DUI
-Disregard Police Officer Signal
-Several Traffic Violations
-Domestic Related Offenses by Delaware State Police Troop 9

A mugshot was unavailable at the time of release.

Incident Number: 50-21-21806

Date/Time:  Saturday, July 24th, 2021 at 10:15 p.m.

Location: 400 Block of Barrister Place, 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 on Saturday night.  Officers responded to the 400 Block of Barrister Place for a report of shots fired with one victim being struck.  When officers arrived, they located a 22-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his leg.   The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury and later released.  Three unoccupied vehicles that were parked in the area were also struck by gunfire.  

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 delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number: 50-21-21721

Date/Time:  Saturday, July 24th, 2021 at 3:22 a.m.

Location: 900 Block of Whatcoat Drive, 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 on Saturday morning.  Officers responded to the 900 Block of Whatcoat Drive for a report of shots fired with one victim being struck.  When officers arrived, they located a 15-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his right thigh.  The victim was riding his bike in the area just after 3:00 a.m. when he was shot once.  The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.  A nearby apartment was also struck by single round.  The apartment was occupied by two people but no injuries occurred.

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 delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number: 50-21-21422

Date/Time:  Wednesday, July 21st, 2021 at 6:56 p.m.

Location: 100 Block of Willis Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

NOTE: An earlier version of this release incorrectly stated that a 17-year-old was arrested with Deontray Watson.  This information was incorrect and was the result of an officer updating a completed press release form and not changing the defendant age section of the form. The Dover Police Department apologizes for any inconvenience the error may have caused.

The Dover Police Department two Dover men on drug and firearms charges on Wednesday evening.  Officers witnessed Deontray Watson (19) enter a residence in the 100 Block of Willis Road.  Watson was wanted on a Violation of Probation.  Officers contacted Watson at the residence and took him into custody in addition to John Wyatte (22).  A search warrant was then executed on the apartment where a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and 56.6 grams of marijuana were located.  

Watson was committed to SCI on a $62,525 cash bond on the following charges (in addition to the Violation of Probation):
-Possession of Firearm During the Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana

Wyatte was committed to SCI on a $36,550 secured bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm During the Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana