Incident Number: 50-21-23563

Date/Time:  Monday, August 9th, 2021 at 4:51 a.m.

Location: Whatcoat Drive (in the area of Building 956), 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 that occurred on Whatcoat Drive.  Officers responded to the area at approximately 4:51 a.m. on Monday, August 9th for a report of shots fired.  When officers arrived they contacted two subjects who advised they were in  van with four other people when unknown suspects began firing at them.  No injuries were reported, but the van was struck three times.  Twelve shell casings were located in the area where the incident 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: 50-21-23445

Date/Time:  Sunday, August 8th, 2021 at 1:59 a.m.

Location: Royal Farms, 295 S. 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 a shooting that occurred inside of a Royal Farms convenience store.  At approximately 1:59 a.m., officers responded to the business for a report of shots fired.  During interviews with store employees and reviewing video footage, it was determined that two males were engaged in a fight inside of the business.  During the altercation a single shot was heard and everyone fled the business.  While officers were on scene, a 35-year-old male arrived by private vehicle to Bayhealth Kent Campus with a gunshot wound to the right pelvic area. The victim told officers that he was at a local establishment prior to Royal Farms and had no altercations or issues with anyone and that he was randomly confronted at Royal Farms.

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: 50-21-23231

Date/Time:  Friday, August 6th, 2021 at 4:14 a.m.

Location: Super 9 Liquors, 348 North 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 a burglary that occurred early Friday morning at Super 9 Liquors.  Officers responded when a witness called and advised that a black male suspect wearing a gray jacket, khaki pants, and black sneakers was kicking out a window to the business and had fled the area.  When officers arrived, it was determined that the suspect fled with a cash drawer from a register inside of the business and into the Lake Club Apartment complex.

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.

The Dover Police Department is currently accepting applications for the 2021 Citizen’s Police Academy.  The Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) is a program that meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:00p.m-9:00pm.  The academy will begin on September 7th and ends on November 2nd, 2021.  This program is designed to provide members of the Dover community with additional knowledge about their police department. It allows citizens of Dover to become more educated on Dover Police Department procedure and the pressures associated within law enforcement. We seek and invite a diverse group of people who either live in or work in the City of Dover to apply.  You do not have to be a Dover citizen to attend.  There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.

The application deadline for 2021 is September 1st!

There are LIMITED spots available for the 2021 class.

The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy is to accomplish three goals:

1. To educate community members in Dover Police Department procedures and the pressures associated within law enforcement
2. To allow the citizens of Dover to meet the men and women who serve them
3. To provide Dover Police Department officers the opportunity to meet and hear from the citizens they serve.

Citizen Police Academy members are given a realistic view of the Department.
Topics presented include:

The academy meets once a week at the Dover Police Department on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm.

Presentations consist of lectures, demonstrations, videos, computer presentations, and “hands on” participation. Each participant is given the opportunity to ride with an officer for one shift.

Apply for the Citizen’s Police Academy

To apply, complete the form below or click  Download Citizen’s Police Academy Application (pdf)  to complete a traditional application and return it to the department.

Media representatives are welcome and encouraged to apply.

For further information contact:
M/Cpl. Rich
Planning and Training Unit
(302)-736-4461
caleb.rich@cj.state.de.us

www.doverpolice.org/citizensacademy

Incident Number: 50-21-23061

Date/Time:  Wednesday, August 4th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Location: 300 Block of Northdown 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 and United States Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force arrested a murder suspect wanted in New York on Wednesday afternoon.  At approximately 4:00 p.m. officers took Maliki Johnson (16) into custody at a residence in the 300 Block of Northdown Drive in the Village of Westover neighborhood.  Johnson was wanted by the Westchester County Police Department for Murder 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree.  Johnson will be held at the Stevenson House Juvenile Detention Center until he is extradited back to New York. 

Maliki Johnson 

The Dover Police Department was awarded a total of $58,939.54 in grants and a private donation on August 3rd.  In May of 2021, the Kent County Levy Court voted in favor of providing Law Enforcement Assistance Grants to Police Agencies serving Kent County.  In a small presentation, Levy Court President Terry Pepper and Vice-President Allen Angel, provided a check to Chief Thomas Johnson, Jr. in the amount of $48,939.54 as an expression of deep appreciation for the work the Dover Police Department does on behalf of Kent County residents within the municipality.

The Grant Funding is intended to be used solely and exclusively within the City’s Law Enforcement Agency for supporting the law enforcement services within its jurisdiction, with the condition that the Dover Police Department provide the County with brief correspondence indicating how the Grant is being used. 

Shortly after that presentation, Dr. Joel Halpern who was present for the county presentation, surprised members of the Dover Police Department by making a private donation of $10,000 toward the department’s K9 unit.  

Chief Johnson stated: “The Dover PD would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to the Levy Court members and Dr. Joel Halpern who recognized the need for, and can appreciate the value of, this type of investment in public safety.  For all the right reasons, traditional sources of public safety funding are very structured with limited flexibility.  This funding will allow us to react quickly in support of community policing and community problem solving.  More specifically, it will support training, our K9 mission, new community engagement initiatives [youth, seniors, at-risk persons], and help in time-critical situations that require funding support not previously identified in other areas of the budget.  With this funding comes the added agility needed to allow us to be more effective in our agency mission.” 

Incident Number: 50-21-22938

Date/Time:  Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 at 7:59 p.m.

Location: Holmes Street and Moriarty 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 charged Michael Haith (43) with firearms  offenses on Tuesday evening.  At approximately 7:59 p.m., officers contacted Haith as part of a separate criminal investigation and found him to be in possession of a handgun and 2.4 grams of marijuana.

Haith was released on an O.R. bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Possession of Marijuana (civil)