Month: September 2021

Incident Number: 50-21-28222

Date/Time:  Sunday, September 19th, 2021 at 3:46 a.m.

Location: New Castle Avenue north of East Water 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 is investigating a shooting that wounded a 44-year-old male.  Dover Police were notified of the incident when the victim arrived at Bayhealth Kent Campus Emergency Room with a gunshot wound to his leg and a facial injury stemming from an assault.  The victim advised police he was in his vehicle in the area of New Castle Avenue and East Water Street when three unknown black male suspects approached his vehicle asking for a cigarette.  The victim then stated that one suspect entered his vehicle from the passenger side and the other two opened his driver’s door. The suspect on the passenger side struck the victim in the face with the butt of the handgun.  As the victim was fleeing, one suspect fired multiple times, striking the victim’s vehicle four times and the victim in the leg.   

The victim is currently being treated for the gunshot wound and facial injuries from the incident.

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.

UPDATE: The Dover Police Department has arrested a suspect in the August 8th shooting that occurred inside of a Royal Farms convenience store.  Stevenson Benoit (31) of Newark, DE, was identified as a suspect during the investigation and detectives obtained warrants for his arrest.  At approximately 6:05 p.m. on September 16th, 2021, Benoit turned himself in at the Dover Police Department.

Benoit was committed to SCI on a $22,000 secured bond on the following offenses:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

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.

UPDATE:  The Gold Alert for Joseph Press has been cancelled after he was located and returned home.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-21-27969

Date:  Thursday, September 16th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Location:  900 Block of Schoolhouse Lane, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   Sergeant Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Joseph Press (29).  Press is diagnosed with multiple conditions that could pose a threat to his health and safety if not properly monitored and treated.  Press was last seen leaving his home in the 900 Block of Schoolhouse Lane in Dover at approximately 6:37 p.m. on Thursday, September 16th, 2021.  Press is a white Hispanic male, 5’9″ and approximately 209 pounds with brown hair and black eyes.  Press was last seen wearing black athletic shorts and a black t-shirt with “Roberto Clemente” on the front.    

If you have any information regarding Press’ whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111 or 911 immediately.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-21-27969

Date:  Thursday, September 16th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Location:  900 Block of Schoolhouse Lane, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Joseph Press (29).  Press is diagnosed with multiple conditions that could pose a threat to his health and safety if not properly monitored and treated.  Press was last seen leaving his home in the 900 Block of Schoolhouse Lane in Dover at approximately 6:37 p.m. on Thursday, September 16th, 2021.  Press is a white Hispanic male, 5’9″ and approximately 209 pounds with brown hair and black eyes.  Press was last seen wearing black athletic shorts and a black t-shirt with “Roberto Clemente” on the front.    

If you have any information regarding Press’ whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111 or 911 immediately.

UPDATE:  The Dover Police Department has charged Hector Gonzalez (18) in connection with the August 22nd shooting that occurred in the parking lot of White Oak Condos.  Gonzalez was developed as the suspect during the investigation and warrants were obtained for his arrest,  Gonzalez turned himself in to the Dover Police Department aon September 15th, 2021. Gonzales was released after posting a $53,500 secured bond on the following offenses:
-Assault 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Criminal Mischief

Incident Number: 50-21-25141

Date/Time:  Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 at 10:34 p.m.

Location: White Oak Condos, 1001 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 that wounded a 28-year-old man on Sunday night.  At approximately 10:34 p.m., officers responded to the parking lot of White Oak Condos at 1001 White Oak Road for a report of shots fired.  When they arrived, they located the male victim with a gunshot wound to the side of his head.  A female witness advised that she was driving away from White Oak Condos when a suspect began firing at the car, striking the male passenger.  The male passenger was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment of his injury and is in stable condition.

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: 50-21-27731

Date/Time:  Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 at 6:06 p.m.

Location: 800 Block of College 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 arrested Khalid Washington (19) on firearms charges on Tuesday evening.  Washington was contacted by officers at a residence in the 800 Block of College Road for a domestic related incident that was called in to police.  When they arrived, Washington was contacted.  Officers ran a wanted persons check on the parties involved in the incident and discovered that Washington was wanted by the Dover Police Department for Theft of a Firearm and Trespass 1st Degree.  Washington was taken into custody without incident.  During a search, Washington was found to have a loaded handgun in the front waistband of his pants. A serial number check of the weapon showed that the firearm was reported stolen on September 7th to the Dover Police Department.

Washington was committed to SCI on a $1,000 secured bond on a capias and received an O.R. bond on the following offenses:
-Theft of Firearm
-Trespass 1st Degree
-Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Receiving Stolen Firearm

UPDATE: The Dover Police Department has arrested Daniel Johnson (17) in connection with the shooting incident at Schutte Park on September 10th, 2021.  Johnson was identified as a suspect and warrants were obtained by detectives.  Johnson was arrested during a traffic stop at 3:51 p.m. on Monday, September 13th without incident.  Johnson was committed to the Stevenson Juvenile Detention Center on a $38,000 secured bond on the following offenses:
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree (3x)
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Criminal Mischief Under $1,000

Incident Number: 50-21-27263

Date/Time:  September 10th, 2021 at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Location: Schutte Park, Electric 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 investigating a shooting that damaged a vehicle in Schutte Park.  Officers responded to the area following a call for shots fired.  After contacting two vehicles that were leaving the area of the playground parking lot, it was determined that a third vehicle had pulled behind them and fired multiple rounds, striking one vehicle in the trunk/rear bumper area of one vehicle.  No injuries resulted from the incident.  

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.