Month: August 2026

Incident Number:  50-26-26198, 27116, 27124

Date/Time: See Narrative

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 and charged a Dover man following an investigation into three commercial burglary-related incidents that occurred over the past week.

The investigation began on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after officers responded to a burglary at Kent Liquor Mart, located at 103 S. Dupont Highway. Investigators determined that at approximately 3:50 a.m., an unknown suspect shattered the front glass door with a rock before entering the business. Surveillance footage showed the suspect immediately go behind the counter, steal multiple alcoholic beverages, place the items into a pillowcase, and flee on foot.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at approximately 9:44 p.m., Dover Police officers responded to Little Grocer, located at 902 E. Division Street, for a commercial alarm. Officers discovered a shattered window on the east side of the business. Surveillance video revealed that at approximately 9:38 p.m., a suspect wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt turned inside out with the hood pulled tightly around his face attempted to force entry by striking the window with his elbow. The suspect fled on foot without gaining entry. Officers observed what appeared to be blood on the broken window, which was collected as evidence.

Just over two hours later, at approximately 12:09 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, officers responded to Lepore Liquors, located at 632 N. Dupont Highway, after another commercial alarm. Officers found the front glass door shattered. The investigation determined that a suspect matching the description from the Little Grocer incident used a rock to break the glass door in an attempt to enter the business before fleeing on foot without gaining entry.

While responding to the Lepore Liquors incident, a responding officer observed a man walking near the area who matched the description of the suspect from the earlier attempted burglary at Little Grocer. During a pedestrian stop, the officer observed a fresh cut on the man’s right elbow. A subsequent canvass of the area led to the discovery of a black hooded sweatshirt, turned inside out with a tear near the right elbow, along with a white mesh bag believed to have been discarded by the suspect. Both items were collected as evidence.

As the investigation continued, detectives were able to positively identify Shawn Jones, 33, of Dover, as the suspect responsible for the July 29 burglary at Kent Liquor Mart. Jones was subsequently charged in connection with all three incidents.

Jones was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $36,000 cash bond on the following offenses:

-Theft Under $1,500

-Burglary Third Degree

-Attempted Burglary Third Degree (2x)

-Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (3x)

-Possession of Burglar’s Tools (2x)

-Criminal Mischief Over $1,000

-Criminal Mischief Under $1,000 (2x)

Incident Number:  50-26-27059

Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 at 1:34 P.M.

Location: Banning Street and West North 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 is investigating the discovery of human remains that were located Tuesday afternoon in the area of West North Street and Banning Street.

On August 4, 2026, at approximately 1:34 p.m., officers responded after a grounds maintenance worker discovered the remains while mowing an overgrown section of property near a retention pond. Investigators learned the area was last maintained approximately 13 months prior to today.

The remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, limiting the amount of information that can be immediately determined at the scene. At this time, investigators have not identified any obvious signs of foul play.

The remains have been turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science’s Medical Examiner Unit, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death and assist with identification.

The identity of the deceased is unknown at this time. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to identify the individual and determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked 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:  50-26-23259

Date/Time: Monday, July 6th, 2026 at approximately 5:11 P.M.

Location: East Broadstairs Place (Village of Westover), 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 16-year-old male in connection with a shooting that occurred on July 6, 2026, in the area of Broadstairs Place. The investigation remains active, and detectives continue working to identify and apprehend the remaining three suspects involved.

On July 6, 2026, at approximately 5:12 p.m., Dover Police responded to the 300 block of Broadstairs Place for reports of multiple shots fired. Investigators recovered approximately 40 spent shell casings and determined that at least four suspects exited a dark-colored passenger vehicle and fired numerous rounds at a maroon SUV as it traveled through the parking lot before fleeing the area.

As the investigation progressed, detectives identified additional victims and property damage beyond what was initially reported. The shooting ultimately impacted four occupied residences, one unoccupied residence, and twelve vehicles struck by gunfire, resulting in a total of 29 victims. Investigators believe that a single person was the intended target of this incident.

On July 9, 2026, a 16-year-old Dover resident was arrested on unrelated charges after discovering a loaded 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband. Subsequent forensic examination determined the handgun was one of the four firearms discharged during the July 6th shooting. Additional information was developed that led to the 16-year-old juvenile being identified as one of the shooters.

As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant for the juvenile male on August 3, 2026, charging him with:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (14 counts)
• Discharging a Firearm at a Vehicle (12 counts)
• Person Under 21 Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm
• Person Under 21 Prohibited from Possessing Ammunition
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Criminal Mischief (17 counts)

The juvenile suspect was already incarcerated at the Stevenson House in Milford on unrelated charges when the warrant was obtained and remains held there.

Detectives continue to actively investigate this incident and are seeking the identities of the remaining suspects involved in the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 736-7111. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Incident Number:  50-26-20085

Date/Time: Saturday, June 13th, 2026 at 4:52 A.M.

Location: 300 Block of Topaz Circle, Dover, DE

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

Update: The Dover Police Department has arrested two juvenile suspects in connection with a shooting that occurred in June in the 300 block of Topaz Circle.

On June 13, 2026, at approximately 4:56 a.m., Dover Police officers responded to the 300 block of Topaz Circle for the report of shots fired. The investigation determined that at approximately 4:52 a.m., multiple rounds were fired into an occupied residence. Three individuals were inside the home at the time of the shooting, and no injuries were reported. Investigators documented at least 21 projectile strikes to the residence and recovered 24 shell casings from the area.

Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Dover Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, detectives identified two male suspects and obtained arrest warrants for them.

On August 1, 2026, Dover Police’s Patrol Division located and arrested Tyion Bailey, 18, of Dover, without incident.

Bailey was taken into custody and charged with:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (3 counts)
• Criminal Mischief Over $5,000

Bailey remains in custody at SCI on a $69,000 cash bond.

On August 3, 2026, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for a 16-year-old male from Dover. The juvenile suspect was already in custody at Stevenson House on unrelated charges and was subsequently charged with:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (3 counts)
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Criminal Mischief Over $5,000

Original Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shots fired incident that occurred early Saturday morning in the 300 Block of Topaz Circle in the Emerald Pointe community.

On June 13, 2026, at approximately 4:56 a.m., Dover Police officers responded to the area for reports of shots fired. The investigation determined that unknown suspect(s) fired multiple rounds at an occupied residence at approximately 4:52 a.m. At the time of the shooting, the home was occupied by a 66-year-old male, a 51-year-old female, and a 20-year-old male. No injuries were reported. Investigators located at least 21 bullet strikes to the exterior of the residence. During a canvas of the area, officers recovered multiple spent shell casings from a nearby property.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number:  50-26-24607

Date/Time: Thursday, July 16th, 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 arrested two men following a drug investigation that resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illegal narcotics, heroin/fentanyl, cash, and drug paraphernalia.

On July 16, 2026, at approximately 1:44 p.m., members of the Dover Police Department’s Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit and Street Crimes Unit, along with Delaware Probation and Parole, conducted a traffic stop in the500 Block of Bay Road. The traffic stop was the result of an ongoing narcotics investigation during which arrest warrants had been obtained for Amir Elmore, 32, of Meadow Garden Lane, Dover.

During the investigation, officers took Elmore and George Brinkley, 36, of President Drive, Dover, into custody. A search of the two men resulted in the seizure of approximately 12.6 grams of cocaine.

Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of President Drive with assistance from the Delaware State Police Kent County Special Investigations Unit. During the search, investigators recovered:

• 1,558.47 grams of powder cocaine
• 115.88 grams of crack cocaine
• 32.1 grams of heroin/fentanyl
• $2,281 in suspected drug proceeds

As a result of the investigation, both defendants were charged by the Delaware State Police and the Dover Police Department.

George Brinkley

Delaware State Police Charges:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (3x)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (3x)
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Dover Police Department Charges:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

Brinkley was committed to the custody of the Department of Correction on $23,000 secured bond, which he later posted.

Amir Elmore

Delaware State Police Charges:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (3x)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (3x)
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Dover Police Department Charges:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

Elmore was committed to the Department of Correction on $138,000 secured bond and remains incarcerated.

Chief Thomas Johnson praised the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved, noting that partnerships between local, county, and state law enforcement continue to play a critical role in disrupting the distribution of dangerous illegal narcotics within the City of Dover.

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 has arrested two juvenile males in connection with the shots fired incident that occurred on July 29, 2026, in the 200 block of Pebble Valley Drive.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance video from the Brandywine Court Apartments on Par Haven Drive. The video captured two juvenile Black males exiting a building within the apartment complex approximately four minutes before the shooting while appearing to conceal objects in their waistbands as they walked toward a nearby trail to a retention pond where shell casings were later recovered. Approximately four minutes later, the juveniles were observed quickly returning from the trail and re-entering the same building shortly after the shooting occurred.

Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the 17-year-old male and 16-year-old male suspects.

On July 30, 2026, both were arrested and charged without incident for the shooting.

Both juveniles were charged with the following offenses and are housed at the Stevenson House Detention Center:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Reckless Endangering First Degree
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited Under 21
• Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited Under 21
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Criminal Mischief

The investigation determined that multiple rounds were fired from the area of the 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. At the time of the incident, a 40-year-old male was inside the residence and was not injured.

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.