Author: Dover Police Department

It is with great pride that the Dover Police Department and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1903 (Dover),  announce that Master Corporal Keith Hester is the 2013 recipient of the coveted Enrique Camarena Award for the Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia district.  The award is named after Enrique Camarena, a DEA Agent who was murdered by a Mexican drug cartel while investigating drug trafficking into the United Sates.  Camarena was captured and brutally tortured by the cartel and eventually murdered in 1985.  His death precipitated the start of the Red Ribbon Campaign that was started by the Camarena family and friends as a tribute to the slain agent and continues to serve as a reminder to all of the dangers of substance abuse.  The Enrique Camarena Award was established by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to recognize and honor law enforcement officers nationwide who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.

The criteria and guidelines for the award include:

• Must be an individual, not an organization
• Must be law enforcement professional
• Must be a positive role model committed to a healthy lifestyle
• Must go beyond normal responsibilities of their position
• Must demonstrate how they help youth
• Must demonstrate leadership and organizational abilities

MCpl. Keith Hester has clearly shown all of these qualities during his 25-year career with the City of Dover Police Department and is a true hero to the youth in the community.  Hester has spent 20 years of his career with the department’s Youth Division.  He is a two-time winner of the “Officer of the Year” award and three-time winner of “Officer of the Quarter.”  Hester was also a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for five years and is currently a School Resource officer at Central Middle School where he ia affectionately known as “Officer Keith.”

Hester is also involved with the “Shell Fuel for Success” program.  This program gives under privileged youth the opportunity to attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.  Every year, for the last five years, Hester has taken 40 students to Dover International Speedway for each Sprint Cup race.  Hester also went out of his way to secure funding to purchase four XBOX 360 systems to organize a competition among the children with the NASCAR video game.  Hester takes the children on a guided tour of the pit area, meet and greet with the drivers, and a close up look at the race cars and garage areas.  Hester is currently planning the NASCAR trip for the Spring 2014 race.

MCpl. Hester is also heavily involved in school activities at the Central Middle School.  You can often spot Hester on the sidelines of a football game, assisting the coaches and constantly motivating the children.  He has also been a wrestling coach at Central Middle School for the last six years.  Hester seeks no compensation for his time and does this on his own time for no other reason than he genuinely cares for the youth in the Dover community.  Hester has been known to provide rides to and from school/extracurricular activities to ensure that children attend and participate.  He has been generous enough to contribute towards the payment for athletic physicals and sporting equipment with his own money when families cannot afford the added expense and encourages involvement in all extracurricular activities.

Finally, when school is out for summer break, Hester runs the Dover Police Youth Academy.  Hester selects several children to attend the academy and learn about police work, even providing hands-on experience.  The kids participate in academy style physical training, basic criminal law, and details of the day-to-day tasks the department and its officers perform.  This not only helps to keep kids off the streets during a time when school is not in session, but inspires them to become better people and set career goals at a young age.

Keith Hester clearly exemplifies the definition of a role model and is nothing short of a hero in our community.  He continues to find ways to connect with children and direct them down the right path in life, keeping them away from the drugs, gangs, and violence that youth can find themselves involved in.  Hester is a true inspiration to the youth in the Dover community and to his fellow officers at the Dover Police Department.  The Dover Police Department is proud and honored that Hester is a part of our team.

Hester will be honored with the Enrique Camarena Award on June 14, 2014 at the Elks State Convention Dinner in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Quote from Chief Paul Bernat:

“It is a privilege to work with officers that have such dedication like MCpl. Keith Hester.  Hester has been a hard-working, selfless officer during his entire 25-year career and deserves the honor of being awarded the Enrique Camarena Award.”

 

 

 

While monitoring social media activity, the Dover Police Department discovered an extremely disturbing video of a brutal assault on a juvenile while on a school bus, traveling home from the Central Parkway Academy in Dover. At this time, the department has launched an extensive investigation into the incident and will utilize any resources needed to hold the suspects responsible. WE WILL NOT BE RELEASING THE VIDEO OF THIS INCIDENT despite it being shared across social media outlets. If you have any information or can identify the students involved in the incident, please contact 302-736-7111 or through the contact section of our website: http://www.doverpolice.org 

A screen grab from the video is shown here:

 

Update:   The Dover Police Department has arrested two suspects in connection with a weekend robbery spree that saw 3 Dover businesses robbed in a 9-hour span.  The break in the case came when detectives recovered the hand written note used in the robbery of Jolly Joe’s Liquors on White Oak Road.  The Dover Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit was able to lift a fingerprint from the note and forwarded it to the Delaware State Police Bureau of Identification for analysis.  The fingerprint was positively identified as belonging to Cameron Gibbs (26).  Detectives began looking into Gibbs criminal history and noticed that he was involved in numerous incidents with his children’s mother, Aliya Peterson (33).  Detectives contacted Peterson and she was brought in to the Dover Police Department for questioning.  Peterson arrived, wearing the same “black puffy coat” that was seen in surveillance photos of the robberies, and described by the robbery victims.  Peterson also arrived to the police department, driving the gold-colored vehicle that was seen at the Days Inn robbery.  During questioning, Peterson confessed to detectives, that she was the suspect in the 3 robberies that occurred in Dover, and that Gibbs was the person who hand wrote the robbery note.

Gibbs was also contacted by the Dover Police Department and questioned as well.  Gibbs admitted to hand writing the notes used in the robberies and also confessed to his involvement of a recent robbery of Mike’s Market, located on South Governors Avenue.  That case is being investigated by the Delaware State Police Troop 3.

Both defendants were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7.  Gibbs was transported to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of a $62,000 secured bond.  Peterson received a $90,000 secured bond and was ordered to the Baylor Correctional Center for Women.  After Peterson’s arraignment, officers began to escort Peterson from the courthouse.  Peterson threw herself to the ground, refusing to comply with officers and had to be forcibly removed from the courthouse and placed into the rear of a patrol vehicle.  As a Dover Police officer was transporting Peterson to the Baylor facility, Peterson kicked out the rear window of the police car, shattering the glass.  Peterson then escaped from the rear of the police vehicle, but was quickly apprehended after the incident.  Peterson was then charged with criminal mischief and escape (3rd degree) and issued a $5,000 secured bond.  Peterson was then successfully transported to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Center without incident.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Story:  The Dover Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is currently investigating three robberies that occurred in a 9-hour span over the course of the weekend.  Each incident and associated photos are below.  Detectives are investigating the possibility of all three incidents being related to each other.

Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. You may also submit an anonymous tip with Delaware Crime Stoppers by phone at: 1-800-847-3333 or online at: http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

 

Incident #: 50-14-10223         Date/Time: Saturday, April 26 at 6:24PM

Location: Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store, 1160 White Oak Road, Dover, DE

Narrative: At approximately 6:24 PM on Saturday, April 26th, a heavy set black female suspect entered the Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store located on White Oak Road and handed the cashier a note stating she had a gun and demanding money.  The clerk refused initially, however the suspect was able to open the cash register and remove an undisclosed amount of money from it.  The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction in what was described as an older “rust colored” vehicle.  The female suspect was wearing a black top and a black stocking that partially covered her face.

The following photos were taken from surveillance footage at the Jolly Joe’s liquor store. 

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Incident #: 50-14-10247         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 12:47AM

Location: Relax Inn Hotel, 640 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:
On Sunday, April 27th at approximately 12:47AM, Dover Police responded to the Relax Inn located at 640 South DuPont Highway for a report of an attempted armed robbery.  The hotel clerk advised officers that she observed an older and faded red pickup truck enter the parking lot and observed three subjects exit the vehicle, possibly two black males and a black female.  The clerk advised that a female entered the foyer area and slipped a handwritten note/envelope under the the glass that stated “Give me your cash and put it in this envelope.”  The clerk refused to comply with the suspects demands, and the suspect then began striking the glass with a large metal pipe.  The suspect fled after the unsuccessful robbery attempt.  No money was taken from the business and no injuries were reported to the victim.  The clerk describes the black female as being 5’2″-5’3″ and 100-110 pounds and wearing all black, with black gloves, and black stocking that only covered half of the suspects face.  Surveillance footage was unavailable for this incident at the time of release.

 

 

Incident #: 50-14-10257         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 3:30AM

Location: Days Inn Hotel, 272 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:  The Dover Police Department responded to the Days Inn Hotel located at 272 North DuPont Highway after receiving a call of an armed robbery attempt.  According to the hotel clerk, a black female entered the hotel lobby and states “This is a robbery, I have a gun, give me all the money from the register.”  The clerk refused the the suspects demands and the suspect fled southbound on foot from the hotel.  It is believed the suspect may have entered a vehicle parked at the Race Track Car Wash adjacent to the hotel property and fled in the vehicle.  The suspect is described as a black female, possibly in her 30’s, wearing a black stocking, black coat, dark pants, dark shoes, and pink gloves.  Photos of the suspect and of a possible suspect vehicle are shown below.

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Update:  The Dover Police Department has recovered possible evidence in the below robbery cases that indicates that Cameron Gibbs may be involved.  At this time Gibbs is considered a person of interest in the string of robberies that occurred Saturday night/Sunday morning throughout Dover.  Gibbs is currently on probation and has an arrest warrant from Delaware State Police Troop 3 for shoplifting and an active capias for shoplifting from Kent County Court of Common Pleas.  Gibbs last known address is 46 Ann Avenue, Dover.  If anybody knows of Gibbs whereabouts or has any information about these cases, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dover Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is currently investigating three robberies that occurred in a 9-hour span over the course of the weekend.  Each incident and associated photos are below.  Detectives are investigating the possibility of all three incidents being related to each other.

Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. You may also submit an anonymous tip with Delaware Crime Stoppers by phone at: 1-800-847-3333 or online at: http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

 

Incident #: 50-14-10223         Date/Time: Saturday, April 26 at 6:24PM

Location: Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store, 1160 White Oak Road, Dover, DE

Narrative: At approximately 6:24 PM on Saturday, April 26th, a heavy set black female suspect entered the Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store located on White Oak Road and handed the cashier a note stating she had a gun and demanding money.  The clerk refused initially, however the suspect was able to open the cash register and remove an undisclosed amount of money from it.  The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction in what was described as an older “rust colored” vehicle.  The female suspect was wearing a black top and a black stocking that partially covered her face.

The following photos were taken from surveillance footage at the Jolly Joe’s liquor store. 

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Incident #: 50-14-10247         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 12:47AM

Location: Relax Inn Hotel, 640 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:
On Sunday, April 27th at approximately 12:47AM, Dover Police responded to the Relax Inn located at 640 South DuPont Highway for a report of an attempted armed robbery.  The hotel clerk advised officers that she observed an older and faded red pickup truck enter the parking lot and observed three subjects exit the vehicle, possibly two black males and a black female.  The clerk advised that a female entered the foyer area and slipped a handwritten note/envelope under the the glass that stated “Give me your cash and put it in this envelope.”  The clerk refused to comply with the suspects demands, and the suspect then began striking the glass with a large metal pipe.  The suspect fled after the unsuccessful robbery attempt.  No money was taken from the business and no injuries were reported to the victim.  The clerk describes the black female as being 5’2″-5’3″ and 100-110 pounds and wearing all black, with black gloves, and black stocking that only covered half of the suspects face.  Surveillance footage was unavailable for this incident at the time of release.

 

 

Incident #: 50-14-10257         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 3:30AM

Location: Days Inn Hotel, 272 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:  The Dover Police Department responded to the Days Inn Hotel located at 272 North DuPont Highway after receiving a call of an armed robbery attempt.  According to the hotel clerk, a black female entered the hotel lobby and states “This is a robbery, I have a gun, give me all the money from the register.”  The clerk refused the the suspects demands and the suspect fled southbound on foot from the hotel.  It is believed the suspect may have entered a vehicle parked at the Race Track Car Wash adjacent to the hotel property and fled in the vehicle.  The suspect is described as a black female, possibly in her 30’s, wearing a black stocking, black coat, dark pants, dark shoes, and pink gloves.  Photos of the suspect and of a possible suspect vehicle are shown below.

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The Dover Police Department is investigating an identity theft case where a victims information was used to open various credit card accounts at JCPenney in the Dover Mall.  The following images are persons of interest in the case.  Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. You may also submit an anonymous tip with Delaware Crime Stoppers by phone at: 1-800-847-3333 or online at: http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

 

 

The Dover Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is currently investigating three robberies that occurred in a 9-hour span over the course of the weekend.  Each incident and associated photos are below.  Detectives are investigating the possibility of all three incidents being related to each other.

Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. You may also submit an anonymous tip with Delaware Crime Stoppers by phone at: 1-800-847-3333 or online at: http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

 

Incident #: 50-14-10223         Date/Time: Saturday, April 26 at 6:24PM

Location: Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store, 1160 White Oak Road, Dover, DE

Narrative: At approximately 6:24 PM on Saturday, April 26th, a heavy set black female suspect entered the Jolly Joe’s Liquor Store located on White Oak Road and handed the cashier a note stating she had a gun and demanding money.  The clerk refused initially, however the suspect was able to open the cash register and remove an undisclosed amount of money from it.  The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction in what was described as an older “rust colored” vehicle.  The female suspect was wearing a black top and a black stocking that partially covered her face.

The following photos were taken from surveillance footage at the Jolly Joe’s liquor store. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Incident #: 50-14-10247         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 12:47AM

Location: Relax Inn Hotel, 640 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:
On Sunday, April 27th at approximately 12:47AM, Dover Police responded to the Relax Inn located at 640 South DuPont Highway for a report of an attempted armed robbery.  The hotel clerk advised officers that she observed an older and faded red pickup truck enter the parking lot and observed three subjects exit the vehicle, possibly two black males and a black female.  The clerk advised that a female entered the foyer area and slipped a handwritten note/envelope under the the glass that stated “Give me your cash and put it in this envelope.”  The clerk refused to comply with the suspects demands, and the suspect then began striking the glass with a large metal pipe.  The suspect fled after the unsuccessful robbery attempt.  No money was taken from the business and no injuries were reported to the victim.  The clerk describes the black female as being 5’2″-5’3″ and 100-110 pounds and wearing all black, with black gloves, and black stocking that only covered half of the suspects face.  Surveillance footage was unavailable for this incident at the time of release.

 

Incident #: 50-14-10257         Date/Time: Sunday, April 27 at 3:30AM

Location: Days Inn Hotel, 272 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

Narrative:  The Dover Police Department responded to the Days Inn Hotel located at 272 North DuPont Highway after receiving a call of an armed robbery attempt.  According to the hotel clerk, a black female entered the hotel lobby and states “This is a robbery, I have a gun, give me all the money from the register.”  The clerk refused the the suspects demands and the suspect fled southbound on foot from the hotel.  It is believed the suspect may have entered a vehicle parked at the Race Track Car Wash adjacent to the hotel property and fled in the vehicle.  The suspect is described as a black female, possibly in her 30’s, wearing a black stocking, black coat, dark pants, dark shoes, and pink gloves.  Photos of the suspect and of a possible suspect vehicle are shown below.

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Incident #: 50-14-6007         Date/Time: March 12, 2014 (Reported)

Location: 1300 South Farmview Drive (Woodmill Apartments), Dover, DE

Narrative:
A Caesar Rodney Middle School teacher turned herself in today (Monday, April 28th) on one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust or Authority.  The charge stems from allegations that Stephanie Seabury (22 years old), an English teacher at Fred Fifer III Middle School (Caesar Rodney School District), had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old male student that was in her class.  The Dover Police Department was made aware of the incident on March 12th, 2014.  An investigation conducted by the Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit revealed that Seabury and the student met on numerous occasions, during which Seabury would meet the victim at a prearranged location and then drive the student to her residence at Woodmill Apartments, in Dover. Dover Police detectives learned that on or about February 26th, 2014, the Seabury had sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old victim at her residence after driving him there after school. Detectives were able to retrieve surveillance footage of Seabury and the victim exiting the school and walking towards the teachers vehicle at approximately 3:48PM on that date. The investigation by the Dover Police Department also revealed that Stephanie Seabury and the student victim exchanged several explicit phone messages and photographs during the inappropriate relationship.  Seabury was charged with one count of Sexual Abuse by a Person in a Position of Trust or Authority, a felony in the State of Delaware.

Seabury was issued a $40,000 secured bond by Justice of the Peace Court 7.