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Month: August 2021

Two Arrested for August 14th Shooting

Dover Police Department

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE (August 18th, 2021):

The Dover Police Department has arrested two men in connection with the August 14th shooting that occurred near Irish Mike’s.  After obtaining surveillance footage from an area business, investigating officers were able to identify Dashere Lewis (30) and Stacey Henry (23) as the men responsible for the shootings.  Both men were located and apprehended without incident at the Super 8 Hotel at 38 N. DuPont Highway on August 17th at 11:40 a.m. 

Henry was committed to SCI on a $152,000 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Lewis was committed to SCI on a $162,000 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon

Dashere Lewis
Dover, DE
Stacey Henry
Dover, DE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incident Number: 50-21-24172

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 14th, 2021 at 1:21 a.m.

Location: South Bradford Street and West Loockerman Street, Dover, DE (area of Irish Mike’s)

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 that wounded two people on Saturday morning.  At approximately 1:21 a.m. officers were in the area of South Bradford Street and West Loockerman Street to monitor bar closings due to recent incidents involving large crowds in the area.  Officers on scene heard a gunshot and observed a large crowd in the parking area behind Irish Mike’s.  Officers located a 32-year-old female victim with a gunshot wound to her foot.  The female victim was transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment.  While on scene, a 25-year-old male victim arrived by private vehicle at Bayhealth Kent Campus with a gunshot wound to his leg.  The male victim underwent surgery for his injury and remains hospitalized.  Throughout the incident, a crowd of approximately 30-40 people continued disorderly behavior including yelling and fighting while law enforcement was attempting to gain control of the scene and disperse the crowd and while EMS was attempting to treat and transport the female victim.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to School Safety from the Dover Police Department

Dover Police Department

Back to School Safety

Summer is quickly coming to an end and families across the Dover area are preparing to send their children back to school in the coming days.  The Dover Police Department is offering the following information to better prepare the citizens we serve for Back to School week.

Police in Schools:
The Dover Police Department has a full-time officer dedicated to the Dover High School, Central Middle School, William Henry Middle School, Kent County Secondary ILC, and Parkway Academy.  These officers are otherwise known as SRO’s or School Resource Officers.  We encourage parents to tell their children to communicate concerns with those officers as needed.  In addition to our five  full-time youth officers, the department will increase their presence at schools across the city during the first days of school to ensure a smooth and safe process for all children and school faculty.  There will also be increased presence by the Special Enforcement Unit Motorcycle Division in area school zones, cross walks, and bus routes to crack down on vehicle violations.  People who speed in school zones, disobey crossing guards, or pass school buses will be cited accordingly.

H.A.W.K. Traffic Signal at Dover High School
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDot)  installed the new High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK system at the Dover High School main entrance/exit prior to the 2014-2015 school year.  This system is designed to maximize the flow of traffic in what is expected to be a congested area before and after school.  A video showing how the light works can be viewed below.

Tips for Motorists
The Dover Police Department will utilize special enforcement units to increase presence in school zones and on bus routes throughout the city to target speed violations, passing of school buses, and other driving violations that threaten the safety of school children.  The beginning of school is also a time when children are at increased risk of transportation related injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, school bus, and motor vehicle crashes because there are many more children on the road each morning and afternoon and many drivers’ patterns change. Shorter daylight hours make it especially difficult to see young pedestrians and bicyclists. So as schools open their doors, it’s time for everyone – motorists, parents, educators, and students – to improve their traffic safety practices. The following tips can help make this a safe and happy school year for the whole community.
School Bus Safety:

  • It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended.
  • On undivided roadways, with no physical barrier or median, vehicles must stop on both sides of the roadway.
  • Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
  • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.
  • Learn and obey the “alternately flashing warning light” system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists.

School Zone/Bus Stop Safety:

  • When a school bus or children are present slow down and proceed with caution, obeying all traffic laws and speed limits.
  • Obey School Zone speed limits & watch for flashing yellow lights, crossing guards, etc.
  • Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or biking to school.
  • When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people who may be in a hurry to get to school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.

Walk/Bike to School:

  • Practice taking the route your child will walk before school.
  • Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
  • Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
  • Use appropriate hand signals.
  • Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
  • Wear bright-colored clothing to increase visibility. White or light-colored clothing and reflective gear is especially important after dark.
  • Know the “rules of the road.”
  • Make sure your child’s walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
  • Identify other children in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school.  In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider organizing a “walking school bus,” in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.
  • Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
  • If your children are young or are walking to a new school, walk with them the first week or until you are sure they know the route and can do it safely.
  • Bright-colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

Back to School Traffic Safety Tips are from the National Safety Council:

If You’re Dropping Off

Schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. The following apply to all school zones:

  • Don’t double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
  • Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school
  • Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

  • Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
  • In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
  • Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
  • Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
  • Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
  • Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

  • Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
  • If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
  • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
  • Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. 

  • When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
  • When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
  • If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
  • Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
  • Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
  • Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
  • Check side mirrors before opening your door

By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.

Bullying:

Bullying or cyberbullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, over the Internet, or through mobile devices like cell phones.  The Dover Police Department has full-time officers dedicated to the Central Middle School, Dover High School, and Parkway Academy with another officer that spends time in William Henry Middle School and the various elementary schools throughout the city.

When Your Child Is Bullied

  • Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
    1. Look the bully in the eye.
    2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
    3. Walk away.
  • Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
    1. “I don’t like what you are doing.”
    2. “Please do NOT talk to me like that.”
    3. “Why would you say that?”
  • Teach your child when and how to ask a trusted adult for help.
  • Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
  • Support activities that interest your child.
  • Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.
  • Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child’s safety and well-being when you cannot be there.
  • Monitor your child’s social media or texting interactions so you can identify problems before they get out of hand.

When Your Child Is the Bully

  • Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
  • Set firm and consistent limits on your child’s aggressive behavior.
  • Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.
  • Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.
  • Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied.

When Your Child Is a Bystander

  • Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
  • Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
  • Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
  • Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.

Teen Driving:

  • Keep Your Cell Phone Off
    Multiple studies indicate using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving drunk―that’s even when using a hands-free phone. Besides, your state may prohibit the use of cell phones while driving. Many do for drivers of certain ages.
  • Don’t Text
    Research shows texting―on average―causes a loss of focus on the road for five seconds. A lot can go wrong in those five seconds.  Don’t try the “texting-while-stopped” approach, either. And, when you have your head down, you won’t notice key developments that may occur, even when you’re stuck at a red light.
  • Turn on Your Headlights
    Doing so can increase your visibility and help other drivers see you, even on sunny days.
  • Obey the Speed Limit
    Speeding causes about 40% of all fatal teen accidents. That’s especially true when driving on roads with lots of traffic or you’re not familiar with.  Don’t feel pressured to keep up with traffic if it seems like everyone else is flying by you. Driving a safe speed helps ensure your well-being, and keeps you away from costly traffic tickets that can cause a sharp hike in your car insurance.
  • Minimize Distractions
    It may be tempting to eat, drink, flip around the radio dial, or play music loudly while you’re cruising around town; however, all can cause your mind or vision to wander, even for a few seconds. And, that can be enough for an inexperienced driver to lose control of your car, or not notice an obstacle in the road.
  • Drive Solo
    Having a single teen passenger in your car can double the risk of causing a car accident. Adding additional teen passengers causes the risk to escalate.
  • Practice Defensive Driving
    Always be aware of the traffic ahead, behind, and next to you, and have possible escape routes in mind. Stay a safe distance behind the car in front of you in slower speeds, and maintain a larger buffer zone with faster speeds.  A good way to judge a proper distance is to count 2 seconds from the time the front of your car passes where the rear of the car in front of you passed

 

Two Injured by Gunfire Saturday Morning

Dover Police Department

Incident Number: 50-21-24172

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 14th, 2021 at 1:21 a.m.

Location: South Bradford Street and West Loockerman Street, Dover, DE (area of Irish Mike’s)

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 that wounded two people on Saturday morning.  At approximately 1:21 a.m. officers were in the area of South Bradford Street and West Loockerman Street to monitor bar closings due to recent incidents involving large crowds in the area.  Officers on scene heard a gunshot and observed a large crowd in the parking area behind Irish Mike’s.  Officers located a 32-year-old female victim with a gunshot wound to her foot.  The female victim was transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment.  While on scene, a 25-year-old male victim arrived by private vehicle at Bayhealth Kent Campus with a gunshot wound to his leg.  The male victim underwent surgery for his injury and remains hospitalized.  Throughout the incident, a crowd of approximately 30-40 people continued disorderly behavior including yelling and fighting while law enforcement was attempting to gain control of the scene and disperse the crowd and while EMS was attempting to treat and transport the female victim.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dover Police Investigating Three Early Morning Burglaries

Dover Police Department

Incident Number: 50-21-24388/24390/24389

Date/Time:  Monday, August 16th, 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 is investigating three burglaries that occurred within approximately thirty minutes of each other on Monday morning.  At approximately 4:08 a.m., officers responded to the Exxon station at 1710 North DuPont Highway for a burglary alarm.  When they arrived, the front glass door had been shattered with a large concrete block.  The suspect entered and used a trashcan to steal approximately 167 packs of Newport cigarettes before fleeing.

A short time later, officers were called to Jeweler’s Loupe located at 1574 N. DuPont Highway for another burglary alarm.  When officers arrived on scene they observed damage to the front windows of the business and a concrete block that was left behind.  The suspect was unable to make entry into the business.

Officers were then called to the Valero station located at 1358 Forrest Avenue for a burglary alarm.  The glass front door to the business was also shattered with a concrete block.  Video surveillance showed that the suspect used another trashcan from the business to steal approximately 70 packs of Newport cigarettes before fleeing.  

The suspect is believed to be a male, wearing a blue/dark color “jumpsuit” brown boots, gloves, and a “Corona” ball cap.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Arrest Made in February 28th IHOP Shooting

Dover Police Department

 

UPDATE (August 12, 2021):

On July 28th, 2021, the Dover Police Department obtained warrants for Calvin King (24) after he was identified as a suspect during the continuing investigation into the February 28th IHOP shooting.  King turned himself in at the Milford Police Department on August 11th, 2021 and he was transferred to the Dover Police Department.  King was committed to SCI on a $55,000 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (6x)

Calvin King
Age: 24
Milford, DE

Incident Number: 50-21-5548

Date/Time:  Sunday, February 28th, 2021

Location: Parking lot of IHOP on South Little Creek 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 an early morning shooting incident that left four people wounded with non-life threatening injuries.  At approximately 2:38 a.m., officers responded to the parking lot of IHOP on South Little Creek Road for several reports of shots fired.  A 30-year-old male was contacted on scene with a gunshot wound to the cheek.  While that victim was being treated and transported from the scene, officers were notified that three additional victims had been privately transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital:
-22-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the ankle
-23-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the lower leg
-25-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the abdomen
All of the victim’s injuries are considered to be non-life threatening.

Responding officers were advised that a black Dodge Charger, occupied by two black males, fled the scene immediately after the shooting.  Patrol officers located a vehicle matching that description in the area of Kent General Hospital.  The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed when the occupants observed police in the area. Officers stopped the vehicle at S. Governors Avenue and West North Street.

Officers took Akeem Ferrell (22, Smyrna) and Anthony Watson (21, Smyrna) into custody without incident.  Ferrell was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana during the arrest.  Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle and located a 9mm handgun in the glove compartment.

The investigation continues in this case, including any possible involvement the arrested suspects potentially had in the shooting incident.  The department will release more information as it becomes available.

Ferrell was released after posting a $4,000 secured bond on the following charges:
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Non-compliance with Bond Conditions (prior arrest)
-Possession of Marijuana (civil)

Watson was released on an O.R. Bond on the following charges:
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Anthony Watson
Akeem Ferrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Update: Second Victim Succumbs to Injuries from July 7th Vehicle Collision on POW-MIA Parkway

Dover Police Department

 

UPDATE (August 7th, 2021):

On July 7th, the Dover Police Department responded to a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred at the intersection of the POW-MIA Parkway and Wyoming Mill Spur (see original release below).  On August 4th, Donna Chappell succumbed to her injuries while hospitalized at UPenn Hospital.  Chappell was the passenger in the Honda Odyssey and the spouse of Richard Chappell who also succumbed to injuries from the collision.  

The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.

Incident Number: 50-21-19726

Date/Time:  Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 at 5:06 p.m.

Location: Intersection of POW-MIA Parkway and Wyoming Mill Spur, 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 three vehicle collision that resulted in the death of an 88-year-old man.  On Wednesday, July 7th at approximately 5:06 p.m., a 2002 Honda Odyssey operated by Richard Chappell (88), of Camden, was traveling south on POW-MIA Parkway as he approached the Wyoming Mill Spur.  At the same time, a 2017 Infinity QX80 was traveling north on POW-MIA Parkway, approaching the same intersection.  A 2004 Nissan Maxima was facing eastbound on the Wyoming Mill Spur, preparing to turn left onto the northbound side of the POW-MIA Parkway.  The operator of the Nissan Maxima entered the intersection, directly in the path of the Honda Odyssey, causing the Odyssey’s front end to strike the front driver’s side of the Maxima.  The impact caused both vehicles to travel in a southeast direction and partially into the path of the Infinity that was traveling northbound, striking the driver side of the Infinity.  

Chappell, who was properly restrained, succumbed to his injuries after he was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.  An 86-year-old passenger in the Honda Odyssey was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for major injuries and later airlifted to UPenn Hospital in Philadelphia, where she remains in serious condition.  The 20-year-old female driver and two passengers (ages 15 and 17) of the Nissan Maxima were treated and released from Kent General Hospital with minor injuries.  The 48-year old male driver of the Infinity refused medical treatment.  

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Traffic Stop Leads to Gun Arrest

Dover Police Department

Incident Number: 50-21-23335

Date/Time:  Friday, August 6th, 2021 at 9:39 p.m.

Location: McDowell Drive and Carver 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 arrested an 18-year-old man for Carrying a Concealed Deadly weapon during a traffic stop on Friday night.  At approximately 9:39 p.m., officers stopped Nashere Edwards for a stop sign violation.  While the vehicle was stopping, Edwards was seen reaching in the area of the rear passenger side.  During the stop, officers observed a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine on the floorboard of the rear passenger side.  Edwards was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edwards was released on an O.R. bond on the following offenses:
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Traffic Offenses

Nashere Edwards
Dover, DE