Month: September 2021

Incident Number: 50-21-29552

Date/Time:  Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 2:50 a.m.

Location: McDonald’s 879 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 is investigating a burglary that occurred on Thursday morning at a McDonald’s restaurant.  At approximately 2:50 a.m. on September 30th, a suspect broke the drive-thru window with a hammer and made entry into the restaurant.  While inside, the suspect damaged a safe in an attempt to gain access to it, but was unsuccessful.  The suspect fled from the business without any cash.  The suspect observed on surveillance footage was a black male, tall, wearing a dark colored jacket with a light colored sweatshirt under it, dark colored pants, and boots.

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: 50-21-29111

Date/Time:  Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at 5:10 a.m.

Location: Friendly’s Restaurant, 318 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 is investigating a burglary that occurred on Sunday morning at a Friendly’s restaurant.  At 8:08 a.m., officers responded to the Friendly’s restaurant at 318 N. DuPont Highway for a report of a burglary.  Arriving officers were notified by the manager that a window to the business was broken.  Video surveillance showed a male suspect break the walk up order window and make entry.  Once inside, the suspect attempted to gain access to the safe but was unsuccessful, and eventually took the whole safe from the business and fled.  The suspect was described as a black male wearing a black jacket with a gray sweatshirt under it, and black pants

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: 50-21-29125

Date/Time: Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at 11:17 a.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 is searching for a suspect involved in an arson on Sunday, September 26th, 2021.  At approximately 11:17 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 400 Block of New Castle Avenue for a fire that was intentionally set.  Before officers arrived, the residents were able to extinguish the fire.  Further investigation revealed that Dondre Atkins (32) opened an unsecured bedroom window and lit curtains on fire in the room where a juvenile was sleeping.   Atkins then fled from the scene.  No injuries resulted from the incident.

Atkins is currently wanted by the Dover Police Department on the following offenses:
-Arson 1st Degree
-Home Invasion (Burglary 1st Degree)
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (5x)
-Criminal Mischief

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: 50-21-28747

Date/Time: Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 4:46 a.m.

Location: Red Lobster, 271 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 is investigating a burglary that occurred at the Red Lobster restaurant on Thursday morning.  At approximately 4:46 a.m.an unknown suspect entered the business after breaking a window.  The suspect then damaged a safe and a cash register, removing an undisclosed amount of cash from the register before fleeing.  

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: 50-21-28734

Date/Time:  Monday, September 20th, 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 warning businesses of a scam attempt that occurred at a Dover restaurant on Monday, September 20th.  At approximately 2:58 p.m., the restaurant received a call from someone portraying to be with the U.S. Marshals Service.  During the call, the suspect stated that they were investigating a claim of counterfeit money being given out by the restaurant as change.  The suspect told the manager that they would be at the business within 30 minutes to inspect the cash and to have money out the drawer.  The employee asked for proof that the call was legitimate and the suspect told her to step outside to see them conducting surveillance on the restaurant.  At that time the employee became frightened and notified the Dover Police Department.  

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: 50-21-27253

Date/Time:  Friday, September 10th, 2021

Location: See Narrative

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

Narrative:

An investigation by the Dover Police Department and Delaware Department of Correction resulted in new charges for three prisoners at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) and pending charges for a female suspect after they attempted to smuggle contraband into the prison.  During the month of September the law enforcement agencies conducted a drug investigation after receiving information that JTVCC prisoners Edward Jackson (28), Lamarr Anderson (30), and Garland Coleman (33) were working with Mia Johnson (22) to smuggle synthetic marijuana into the prison.  

On September 10th, 2021, investigators learned that Coleman had an outside medical appointment at a Dover medical facility.  Mia Johnson traveled from Wilmington, Delaware and hid 26.2 grams of synthetic marijuana in a restroom at the medical facility for Coleman to take.  

Investigating officers seized the contraband from the restroom and obtained warrants for all four subjects on the following charges:

-Possession with Intent to Deliver
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Promoting Prison Contraband
-Drug Paraphernalia

Jackson, Anderson, and Coleman are all currently incarcerated at JTVCC and scheduled to be arraigned on September 20th, 2021.  Mia Johnson remains wanted by the Dover Police Department.

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/Complaint#:  50-21-28387

Date:  Monday, September 20, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Location:  See Narrative

Officer Releasing Information:   Sgt. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Evelyn Belton (65).  Belton was last heard from by phone on September 14th, 2021.  Belton was facing challenges with secure housing at the time and also suffers from conditions which may pose a threat to her health and safety if not properly monitored and treated.  Belton is a black female, 6’2″ and unknown weight, with brown eyes, and unknown color hair that is cut in a mohawk-type style.  Belton was reported missing on September 20th with the reporting person stating that it is unlike Belton to not have contact for this long of a period.

If you have any information regarding Belton‘s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111 or 911 immediately.