Day: October 28, 2026

NOTICE REGARDING NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Delaware’s House Bill 59, which went into effect on October 21, 2026, limits law enforcement’s release of names and photographs, including mugshots. For adults charged with a crime, this information may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. Names and photographs may therefore be omitted from this release to comply with state law. The Dover Police Department remains committed to keeping our community informed within these legal requirements.

Incident Number:  50-26-37874

Date/Time: Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 1:59 P.M.

Location: Whatcoat 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 a 29-year-old male from Dover in connection with a stabbing that injured two men on October 24, 2026.

At approximately 1:59 p.m., officers responded to the area of 950 Whatcoat Drive for a reported stabbing. Officers located two 32-year-old male victims from suffering from stab wounds to their upper bodies. Both were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, with one victim requiring emergency treatment for injuries considered to be life-threatening.

The investigation determined that the suspect became involved in a verbal altercation with one victim before producing a concealed instrument, believed to be a knife, and stabbing him twice. The second victim approached the suspect and was also stabbed. Detectives identified the suspect during the investigation and obtained warrants for his arrest.

On October 28, 2026, members of the Dover Police Department’s DVOC, the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force, and Probation and Parole took the suspect into custody in Smyrna without incident.

The suspect was was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $151,000 cash bond on the following offenses.

• Assault First Degree — two counts
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon

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The Dover Police Department would like to remind parents, children, and motorists to remain alert and keep safety a top priority during this Halloween. While we will have officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods on Trick-or-Treat Night, it is important to take note of the safety tips we have provided below.

Trick or Treat Date/Times:

• Trick-or-Treating in the City of Dover limits is scheduled for SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31st from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
  Please be sure to turn your light on if you are participating, and parents only allow your children to go to participating homes.
• Participating homes should have their front lights on
• Households that are not participating should turn off their front lights

Motorist Safety Tips:

• Motorists are asked to drive with an abundance of caution and travel at a reduced speed in residential areas.
• Many children and adults will be walking through residential areas and depending on the availability of sidewalks, may be near or on the roadway.
• Be aware of children inadvertently darting across the street in the path of vehicles.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

• Children should NEVER go Trick or Treating alone.  They should be with a parent/guardian, or a group of friends at all times.
• Stay off of main roadways.
• Costumes should fit properly, with no loose/hanging items.
• Consider face paint instead of masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Trick or Treaters should carry a flashlight at all times.
• Utilize glow sticks and/or reflective tape/material attached to costumes and bags for added visibility.
• Before crossing the street, always look in both directions twice to make sure no vehicles are coming.
• Inspect all candy prior to consuming it.

NOTICE REGARDING NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Delaware’s House Bill 59, which went into effect on October 21, 2026, limits law enforcement’s release of names and photographs, including mugshots. For adults charged with a crime, this information may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. Names and photographs may therefore be omitted from this release to comply with state law. The Dover Police Department remains committed to keeping our community informed within these legal requirements.

Incident Number:  50-26-38234

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 at approximately 1:14 P.M.

Location: Rockford Crossing, Dover, DE

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit, working with Delaware Probation and Parole, arrested a 24-year-old Dover man following a firearm and drug investigation Tuesday afternoon.

The investigation began when officers from the Dover Police Patrol Division provided information that the man was in possession of a firearm and selling marijuana. Probation and Parole obtained an administrative warrant and contacted him at his residence on Rockford Crossing.

During the investigation, officers located a handgun and approximately 7.7 pounds of marijuana in his possession. The man is prohibited from possessing firearms.

He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $17,500 cash bond on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2 counts)

-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity

-Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity

-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

NOTICE REGARDING NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Delaware’s House Bill 59, which went into effect on October 21, 2026, limits law enforcement’s release of names and photographs, including mugshots. For adults charged with a crime, this information may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. Names and photographs may therefore be omitted from this release to comply with state law. The Dover Police Department remains committed to keeping our community informed within these legal requirements.

Incident Number:  50-26-38256

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 at approximately 4:22 P.M.

Location: 500 Block of River 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 shooting that damaged an occupied residence and an unoccupied vehicle Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 4:22 p.m., officers responded to the 500 Block of River Road for a report of shots fired. The investigation determined that shots were fired from the area of River Road and Sussex Avenue, striking a second-story window of a nearby residence and a parked vehicle. A 10-year-old girl was inside the residence at the time and was not injured. No injuries were reported.

Officers recovered multiple shell casings during a search of the area. The suspects were described as three black males, all wearing dark clothing.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7111.