Category: Dover Police News

Incident Number: 50-22-25637

Date/Time:  Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:56 p.m.

Location: Walgreen’s, 1001 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect that almost struck an officer with a vehicle. A Dover officer was at Walgreen’s Thursday evening, when they observed a white male wearing a hat, gray shirt, light colored shorts, and black sneakers, begin to walk out of the store without paying for merchandise. The suspect fled on foot and the officer chased him. The suspect entered a brown Honda Civic and the officer advised the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect then drove the vehicle at the officer, however the officer was able to get out of the way unharmed. A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued for approximately 30 minutes through several towns. The vehicle pursuit was ultimately terminated due to the suspects reckless driving. 

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6’0″, weighting approximately 250 pounds, with black hair.

If you have any information on the identity of this suspect, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111. 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: 50-22-25524

Date/Time:  Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 12:06 a.m.

Location: River Road and Kent Avenue, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested Timothy Safford, a 46-year-old Dover man, after he fled from a traffic stop and pointed a handgun at a Dover Police Officer. A Dover Officer conducted a vehicle stop in the area of River Road and Kent Avenue early Thursday morning for a traffic violation. When the vehicle stopped, a passenger later identified as Safford, fled from the vehicle on foot. The officer began chasing Safford on foot, at which time Safford pointed a black handgun at the officer prior to throwing the gun over a fence into a heavily wooded area. Safford was eventually taken into custody and found in possession of .3 grams of MDMA and 4 grams of crack cocaine. Officers conducted an extensive search of the area, however the firearm has not yet been recovered.

Safford was committed to SCI on $92,700 Cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Aggravated Menacing
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Possession of MDMA
-Possession of Crack Cocaine
-Resisting Arrest

 

Incident Number: 50-22-25352

Date/Time:  Between Friday, December 24, 2021 and Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Location: Location not released to protect victim, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested Norman Merritt, a 33-year-old Dover man, for Rape after learning of a sexual relationship he had with a minor between December of 2021 and July of 2022. On August 15th, 2022, Dover Police detectives were contacted by a member of the victim’s family after the child disclosed the incident to them. An interview was conducted with the victim at which time it was determined that Merritt had performed sexual acts with the child on at least two occasions at a Dover residence. The location of the residence is being withheld for protection of the victim. 

Through an investigation, detectives were able to determine that Merritt had engaged in sexual acts with the child on several occasions between December 24, 2021 and July 13, 2022. Merritt turned himself in to Dover Police on August 17, 2022.

Merritt was committed to SCI on $363,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Rape Second Degree (2x)
-Rape Third Degree (4x)
-Unlawful Sexual Contact Second 

If you wish to provide information on this case or other criminal activity, please contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130.  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.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance.  You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: Diane.Glenn@cj.state.de.us

You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:

Dover Police Website

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Incident Number: 50-22-25051

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 2:08 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Village Drive, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Saturday afternoon.  At approximately 2:08 p.m., officers responded to the Unit Block of Village Drive for a report of multiple shots fired.  Upon arrival, officers contacted residents of the area. It was determined that no injuries resulted from the shooting but that an occupied residence and an unoccupied vehicle were struck as a result of the gunfire . Witnesses reported that the suspects possibly fled in a red vehicle.

If you wish to provide information on this case or other criminal activity, please contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130.  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.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance.  You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: Diane.Glenn@cj.state.de.us

You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:

Dover Police Website

Facebook

Twitter

 

Incident Number: 50-22-25027

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 09:49 a.m.

Location: Levy Court Lane and South Little Creed Road, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is seeking Jeffrey Boatwright (25) of Dover, who is wanted after fleeing from officers during a traffic stop.  Officers stopped Boatwright for a motor vehicle violation in the area of Levy Court Lane and South Little Creek Road on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 9:49 a.m.  Officers made contact with Boatwright and asked for his identification at which time he put the car in gear and accelerated his vehicle almost striking the Officer’s foot. Officers initiated a vehicle pursuit however the decision was made to discontinue the pursuit due to safety concerns at the time.  

Boatwright is currently wanted for the following offenses:
-Disregard Police Officer Signal
-Reckless Endangering Second Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Reckless Driving
-Multiple Traffic Violations

If you wish to provide information on this case or other criminal activity, please contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130.  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.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance.  You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: Diane.Glenn@cj.state.de.us

You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:

Dover Police Website

Facebook

Twitter

Incident Number: 50-22-24906

Date/Time:  Friday, August 12, 2022 at 11:22 a.m.

Location: Super Lodge, 246 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid   Email: Ryan.Schmid

Narrative: The Dover Police Department arrested Ashmere Wright (30) and Keith Hicks (56), both of Dover, DE, on Friday afternoon following a drug investigation.  Dover officers obtained a search warrant for a room at the Super Lodge belonging to Wright as the result of the drug investigation. Prior to executing the search warrant officers observed Hicks exiting the room and enter a vehicle. Officers attempted to stop Hicks when he fled. Officers initiated a pursuit which ended when Hicks crashed into a parked vehicle in the parking lot of Top City, 2970 North Dupont HIghway Dover, DE. Hicks was uninjured in the collision and was taken into custody without further incident. Hicks was found in possession of crack cocaine at the time he was taken into custody.

Officers then executed the search warrant on Wright’s room where he was taken into custody without incident. Wright was found in possession of $742 USC of suspected drug proceeds and a small amount of marijuana.

Wright was released on an O.R. bond on the following offenses:

-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
-Conspiracy Second Degree

-Possession of marijuana (Civil violation)

Hicks was released on an O.R. bond on the following offenses:
-Disregarding a Police Signal
-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Possession of Controlled Substance (Crack cocaine)
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Resisting Arrest
-Various traffic offenses

The Dover Police Department will be hosting a “How to Succeed in the Hiring Process” seminar on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. The seminar is open to anyone interested in a career with the Dover Police Department as a police officer and will include information about the hiring process, application assistance, specialized units of the agency, and a tour of the police department.  You do not have to submit an application prior to attending.  Doors will open at 8:30AM and close promptly at 9:00 a.m. with no late admittance permitted.  The seminars typically end by 11:00 a.m.

The Dover Police Department continually accepts applications for police officers.  The department is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2022 hiring process.  For more information, visit: www.doverpolice.org/careers 

If you have any questions, please call Sergeant Caleb Rich at 302-736-4461. The City of Dover and Dover Police Department are Equal Opportunity Employers.