Category: Dover Police News

UPDATE:
The Dover Police Department is announcing the arrest of the third suspect involved in the July 4th shooting that occurred at Cannon Mills apartments.  Romeo Downs (17) was arrested in Bloomington, Indiana by the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and is awaiting extradition to Delaware where he will face the following charges:
-Burglary 2nd Degree
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Criminal Mischief
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Gang Participation
-Theft Under $1,500

A photo of Downs was unavailable at the time of release.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-20998

Date/Time:  Thursday, July 4th, 2019 at 6:24PM

Location: 100 Block of Katrina Way, (Cannon Mills Apartments) Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department has arrested two suspects involved in a shooting on the 4th of July.  At approximately 6:24PM, a 22-year-old victim entered his apartment in the 100 Block of Katrina Way and found three suspects inside of his apartment.  The victim confronted the suspects and noticed his bedroom was in disarray and money had been taken, at which point the suspects fled on foot.  The victim gave chase, when one suspect (Jason Brittingham, 18) turned and fired a gun, striking the victim once in the left side.  The bullet went through the victim and entered a home through an exterior wall.  The victim was able to identify two of the three suspects because they were known to him.

Christopher Evans (17), was apprehended by the Dover Police Department and US Marshal’s First State Fugitive Task Force in the downtown Dover area on July 30th, 2019.  He was committed to Stevenson House on the following charges:
-Burglary 2nd Degree
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Criminal Mischief
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Gang Participation
-Theft Under $1,500

Jason Brittingham (18) was arrested by the US Marshals on July 30th, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina and is being held pending extradition on the following charges:
-Burglary 2nd Degree
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Criminal Mischief
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Gang Participation
-Theft Under $1,500

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-2537325

Date/Time:  Saturday, August 10th, 2019 at 6:39PM

Location: Dover East Estates, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred on Saturday evening.  At approximately 6:39PM, a 16-year-old male victim was walking in the Dover East Estates mobile home park when he was approached by two juvenile suspects.  The suspects demanded the victim’s headphones and he refused.  The juveniles then assaulted the victim, making him briefly lose consciousness.  The suspects then fled with the victims backpack and other belongings.  The victim was treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for his injuries.  The suspects were described as two black males, skinny build, approximately 15-16 years old.  

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to 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 delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-25373

Date/Time:  Sunday, August 11th, 2019 at 2:45AM

Location: Unit Block of S. New Street, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning that left a 26-year-old female with a minor injury.  At approximately 2:45AM on August 11th, officers responded to the Unit Block of S. New Street for a report of several shots fired.  Arriving officers learned that the female victim suffered a graze wound to her lower body.  The victim was treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital and released.  

Officers discovered several shell casings at the scene and that at least two houses were struck by gunfire. No other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to 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 delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-25021

Date/Time:  Thursday, August 8th, 2019 at 5:01AM

Location: 100 Block of West Loockerman Street, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is seeking a suspect in connection with an early morning stabbing incident that occurred on Thursday, August 8th.  At approximately 5:01AM, officers responded to an apartment in the 100 Block of West Loockerman Street and discovered that a 25-year-old male victim was stabbed in the abdomen.  The investigation revealed that the victim’s roommate, Benny Fonseca (26), stabbed him and proceeded to strike him several times when he was on the ground.  Fonseca then fled the scene.  The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.  

Fonseca is currently wanted on the following offenses:
-Assault 2nd Degree
-Possession of Deadly Weapon During Commission of Felony

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous.  Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-24827

Date/Time:  Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 at 2:13PM

Location: 2000 Block of General’s Way, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department assisted Delaware Probation and Parole in a probation check that resulted in the arrest of two subjects on drug and weapons offenses.  On Tuesday, August 6th, officers attempted to conduct a probation check on Khalil Hanzer (25) in the 2000 Block of Generals Way.  Hanzer fled out of a rear door of the residence but was quickly apprehended.  Tiffiny Melton (26) was inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.  Probation and Parole officers then conducted an Administrative Search of the residence and located the following:
-9mm Handgun
-23.1 Grams of Crack Cocaine
-468 Bags of Heroin
-Ammunition
-9.8 Grams of Marijuana
-Drug Paraphernalia
-$3,628 in drug proceeds

Khalil Hanzer was committed to JTVCC in default of $102,500 bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm By Person Prohibited (2x)
-Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Possession of Heroin
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine
-Possession of Crack Cocaine
-Possession of Marijuana
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Local Fugitive

Tiffiny Melton was released on $57,200 unsecured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm By Person Prohibited
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Possession of Heroin
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine
-Possession of Crack Cocaine
-Possession of Marijuana
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Dover Police Department and Downtown Dover Partnership is excited to announce its Fourth Annual Trick-or-Treat event that has drawn over 11,000 visitors in its first two years.  The event will be held on its traditional date of the Friday before Halloween.  This year the event falls on October 25th, 2019 and will be held from 6pm-8pm.

Streets surrounding Legislative Mall will be filled with police cars, fire trucks, emergency equipment, local businesses, and organizations as costumed children Trick-or-Treat at each display.  Families will have a chance to meet their local police and fire personnel, explore the vehicles and equipment they use, get to know more about local businesses and organizations and what they offer to the community, all while Trick-or-Treating.

There is no cost for any of the events or activities for attendees.  While there is no age limit to attend, we kindly request that only children 13 and under Trick-or-Treat.  Costumes are NOT required.  Attendees are asked to bring their own Trick-or-Treat bags/buckets.

The roadways surrounding Legislative Mall will be closed to traffic and parking beginning at 4pm to ensure the safest conditions for attendees and allow them to freely explore all the historic area has to offer.  Streets that will be closed include:
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (North and South) from Legislative Avenue to Federal Street and Legislative Avenue and Federal Street between North and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Details for parking will be released closer to the event date.

The Dover Police Department is also inviting local businesses and organization to participate in this event at no cost.  For more information about business participation, please contact 302-736-7130 or visit doverpolice.org/halloween.

For more information or questions about the event, please contact M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman at mark.hoffman@cj.state.de.us or call 302-736-7130.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-24398

Date/Time:  Friday, August 2nd, 2019 at 11:19AM

Location: 100 Block of Willis Road, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department and US Marshal First State Fugitive Task Force arrested Tyan Collins (32) on Friday after running from officers.  Collins was wanted out of North Carolina on weapons charges when he was contacted by officers and fled on foot.  Following a brief foot chase, Collins was taken into custody and found with heroin, crack cocaine, and oxycodone pills.  Collins was committed to SCI pending extradition to North Carolina and was charged with the following new offenses:
-Resisting Arrest
-Possession of Crack Cocaine
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Oxycodone
-Drug Paraphernalia
($26,500 secured bond on new charges)