Month: July 2026

Incident Number:  50-26-26258

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 29th, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.

Location: 200 Block of Pebble Valley Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shots fired incident that occurred Wednesday evening.

On July 29, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Dover Police officers responded to the 200 block of Pebble Valley Drive for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located damage to a residence consistent with gunfire.

The investigation determined that multiple rounds were fired from an area near a nearby retention pond, striking the residence. One round traveled through the front window and through the interior of the home before lodging in a rear wall. Another round was recovered inside the residence as well. Detectives also recovered multiple shell casings near the retention pond.

At the time of the incident, a 40-year-old male was inside the residence. He was not injured.

Based on the investigation, detectives do not believe the resident or the home was intentionally targeted.

This case remains under investigation. Detectives are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

Incident Number:  50-26-26155 and 261

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 28th, 2026

Location: See Narrative

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has arrested a Magnolia man in connection with two armed robberies that occurred Tuesday night at businesses along South DuPont Highway.

On July 28, 2026, at approximately 9:10 p.m., officers responded to Dollar General, 282 S. DuPont Highway, for the report of an armed robbery. The suspect entered the store, displayed what was described as a large hunting-style knife, demanded money from an employee, and threatened to stab the employee when told the register could not be accessed. The suspect fled the business merchandise but no cash.

Approximately 10 minutes later, at about 9:21 p.m., officers responded to D&D Liquors, 1107 S. DuPont Highway, for another robbery. During that incident, the suspect kept his hand inside a pocket while claiming it was a robbery, leading the employee to believe he was armed with a firearm. The suspect reached over the counter, removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, and fled the business.

Through the investigation, detectives determined both robberies were committed by the same suspect and identified him as Donald Johnson, 67, of Magnolia

On July 29, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., members of the Dover Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Johnson without incident at his residence in Magnolia.

Johnson was charged with:

• Robbery First Degree (2 counts)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
• Aggravated Menacing

Johnson’s bond was pending at the time of this release.

Incident Number:  50-26-26111

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 at approximately 2:09 P.M.

Location: White Oak Road, near the intersection of Spruance Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a shots fired incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

On July 28, 2026, at approximately 2:09 p.m., officers responded to the area of White Oak Road near Spruance Road for the report of shots fired. Responding officers located an individual who advised they had been riding a bicycle in the area of White Oak Road and Spruance Road when an unknown juvenile male suspect fired multiple rounds in their direction from a nearby grassy lot. This individual became uncooperative with police and left the area without providing any additional information.

Officers located multiple shell casings at the scene, and surveillance video from a nearby business corroborated the reported sequence of events. During the investigation, officers also discovered that several rounds struck residences in the 1200 block of Harrison Drive, causing damage to fences, siding, and an interior wall of one home.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as a juvenile Black male wearing dark-colored Under Armour clothing. No additional suspect information is available at this time.

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Information may also be provided anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-TIP-3333 or submitting a tip online.

Incident Number:  50-26-25907

Date/Time: Monday, July 27th, 2026 at approximately 2:07 A.M.

Location: Unit Block of River Chase Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred early Monday morning in the Unit Block of River Chase Drive.

On Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 2:07 a.m., officers responded to the area for the report of a shooting. The preliminary investigation revealed that multiple rounds were fired through a residence window, striking a 62-year-old male victim one time while he was asleep.

The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Three other occupants were inside the residence at the time of the shooting but were not injured.

The investigation remains active, and detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Information may also be provided anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-TIP-3333 or submitting a tip online.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-26-25321

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 at approximately 9:35 A.M.

Location: Bayhealth Kent Campus, 640 S. State Street, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for William Ross (46) of Lincoln, DE. Ross was at Bayhealth Kent Campus awaiting treatment for a condition that may pose a risk to his safety and well-being. While waiting, Ross left out of the Emergency Transport doors on foot in an unknown direction. Ross is a black male, 5’7″, 155 pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. If you have any information on Ross’ whereabouts, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.

Incident Number:  50-26-24984

Date/Time: Sunday, July 19th, 2026 at approximately 9:09 P.M.

Location: Wendy’s 1596 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested a woman following a strong-arm robbery that occurred Sunday evening at Wendy’s, located at 1596 S. DuPont Highway.

On July 19, 2026, at approximately 9:09 p.m., Dover Police officers responded to the restaurant for a reported robbery. The investigation revealed that an adult female and a juvenile male had purchased food before requesting a cash refund because they were dissatisfied with their order. When employees advised that a refund could not be processed at the restaurant and that they would need to contact management, the female became agitated.

The female then went behind the service counter, entered an employee-only area, and removed approximately $15 from a cash register. During the incident, she assaulted a female employee by punching her multiple times in the chest when the employee attempted to prevent the theft. The cash was thrown out the drive-thru window, where it was collected by the juvenile male.

During the incident, the juvenile male also entered the restaurant, and both suspects made threats to shoot employees before fleeing the area.

The suspect was identified as Shadaira Harris (33), of Ellendale, DE.

Harris was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI) on a $29,000 secured bond on the following offenses:

• Robbery (Strong-Arm)
• Burglary 3rd Degree
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• Terroristic Threatening
• Offensive Touching

The investigation remains ongoing regarding the juvenile male suspect.

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Incident Number:  50-26-24423

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 15th between 12:35 A.M. and 1:20 A.M.

Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church at 25 Jerusalem Way, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at New Jerusalem Baptist Church at 25 Jerusalem Way.

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, officers responded to the church after damage was discovered inside the building. The investigation revealed that an unknown suspect entered the church and caused significant damage to the interior, including a security gate, a sanctuary door, and a window. A fire extinguisher was also removed from inside the church and recovered nearby.

At this time, investigators have not determined that any property was stolen from the church.

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Information may also be provided anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-TIP-3333 or submitting a tip online.

Incident Number:  50-26-24182

Date/Time: Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 3:17 P.M.

Location: Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road, Dover, DE

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 3:17 p.m., Dover Police officers responded to the intersection of Forrest Avenue and Kenton Road for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles with injuries. Due to the severity of the crash, the Dover Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

The preliminary investigation determined that a 2026 Mazda 3 traveling eastbound on Forrest Avenue failed to stop for a red traffic signal before making a left turn into the path of a westbound 1990 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the Mazda, ejecting the operator, a 67-year-old male, who sustained life-threatening injuries. After the collision, the motorcycle continued to skid and struck a third vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, causing minor damage.

The motorcycle operator was transported by Delaware State Police helicopter to Christiana Hospital, where he remains hospitalized in serious condition.

The driver of the Mazda, Jessica Lopez, 43, of Hartly, Delaware, displayed signs of impairment at the scene and was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment of minor injuries. During the investigation, officers located heroin and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and on Lopez’s person.

Investigators also learned that Lopez had been arraigned earlier that same day on an unrelated felony case, where she was issued a No Contact Order prohibiting her from driving and was released on unsecured bail.

Following her release from the hospital, Lopez was charged with the following offenses:

• Vehicular Assault First Degree
• Noncompliance with Conditions of Bond (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Failure to Yield Right of Way While Turning Left
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light

Lopez was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $33,202 cash bail.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111 or submit information at: www.doverpolice.org/contact-us.

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