Category: Dover Police News

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-21240

Date/Time:  Saturday, July 6th, 2019 at 3:22PM

Location: The Centre at Dover Shopping Center, 200 Block of N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department has arrested a 64-year-old man from Dover after he allegedly committed a sex crime against a 19-year-old female.  The incident occurred on Saturday, July 6th, 2019 at approximately 3:22PM, when the victim was approached by Michael Daniels in a shopping center.  The victim had been walking in the area during a break from her employer (employer is not being named to protect victim’s identity).  Daniels asked the victim for directions to Loockerman Street.  The victim provided him directions and was then asked to get in Daniels’ vehicle and guide him there, which the victim refused.  Daniels’ then extended his arm as if to shake the victim’s hand.  When the victim shook his hand, he forced her arm into the vehicle and made the victim touch his exposed penis.  Daniels then fled the area.

Daniels was stopped later that day by officers but was released as they did not have enough information at the time to make an arrest.  Surveillance video was later located and an arrest warrant was issued on July 12th.  Daniels came to the police department on July 12th for an interview and was subsequently arrested for the July 6th offense.

Daniels was released on an O.R. Bond on the following charges:
-Unlawful Sexual Contact 3rd Degree
-Indecent Exposure 2nd Degree
-Offensive Touching

While no additional reports have been received, police officials have learned that Daniel’s may have attempted or committed similar acts in the area.  Any additional victim’s should contact the Dover Police Criminal Investigation Unit at 302-736-7121.

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program that meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:00p.m-9:00pm from September 10th-November 12th, 2019.  This program is designed to provide members of the Dover community with additional knowledge about their police department. It allows citizens of Dover to become more educated on Dover Police Department procedure and the pressures associated within law enforcement. We seek and invite a diverse group of people who either live in or work in the City of Dover to apply.  You do not have to be a Dover citizen to attend.  There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 16TH, 2019

The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy is to accomplish three goals:

1. To educate community members in Dover Police Department procedures and the pressures associated within law enforcement
2. To allow the citizens of Dover to meet the men and women who serve them
3. To provide Dover Police Department officers the opportunity to meet and hear from the citizens they serve.

Citizen Police Academy members are given a realistic view of the Department.
Topics presented include:

The academy meets once a week at the Dover Police Department on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm.

Presentations consist of lectures, demonstrations, videos, computer presentations, and “hands on” participation. Each participant is given the opportunity to ride with an officer for one shift.

How to Obtain an Application

There are three ways to obtain an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy
1-Pick up in person at the Dover Police Department
2-2019 Citizen’s Police Academy Application
3-COMPLETE APPLICATION ONLINE (preferred method)

Media representatives are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Contact

For further information contact:

M/Cpl. Lawson
Planning and Training Unit
Dover Police Department
400 S. Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
(302)-736-4461
derek.lawson@cj.state.de.us

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-21532

Date/Time:  Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 at 12:11PM

Location: East Loockerman Street at S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department charged 61-year-old John Stroud with Driving Under the Influence and Vehicular Assault (2nd Degree) as the result of a vehicle crash that occurred on Tuesday, July 9th at approximately 12:11PM.    Stroud was operating a vehicle eastbound on Loockerman Street, in the westbound lanes, approaching S. DuPont Highway.  Stroud’s vehicle entered the intersection, striking another vehicle driven by a 46-year-old male who was then transported to a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries.  

During the investigation, it was discovered that Stroud had used heroin prior to operating his vehicle.  

Stroud was then released on an O.R. Bond by Justice of the Peace Court #7 on the following charges:
-Driving Under the Influence
-Vehicular Assault 2nd Degree
-Driving without a License

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-20950

Date/Time:  Thursday, July 4th, 2019 at 1:37AM

Location: 200 Block of Old Flint Circle, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred in the 200 Block of Old Flint Circle.  A 36-year-old male victim reported that he was sitting in his vehicle at approximately 1:37AM on Thursday, July 4th, 2019, when two unknown black male suspects approached.  The suspects displayed firearms and demanded money from the victim, who gave them his wallet.  The suspects then fled the area in an unknown direction.  The suspects were described as being in their teens-early 20’s and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark bandannas.

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#:  50-19-20949

Date/Time:  Thursday, July 4th, 2019 at 12:54AM

Location: Longhorn Steakhouse, 505 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at the Longhorn Steakhouse.  The incident occurred at approximately 12:54AM on Thursday, July 4th, 2019.  An unknown suspect  gained entry into the restaurant by breaking a window to the business.  Once inside, the suspect(s) damaged registers in an attempt to gain access to the contents.  The suspects then fled the area in an unknown direction.

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.

UPDATE:

The Dover Police Department continues to investigate the fatal hit and run accident that occurred on Friday, July 5th, 2019 in the area of Forrest Avenue (Route 8) and Independence Boulevard.  Investigators continue to look for clues and additional video but are releasing the below image and video that shows the dark colored suspect vehicle fleeing eastbound after the crash.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111 and ask for Officer Nicolosi. 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#:  50-19-21175

Date/Time:  Friday, July 5th, 2019 at 8:48PM

Location: Forrest Avenue, just west of Independence Blvd., Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on Friday, July 5th and is also seeking a second driver involved in the incident.  At approximately 8:48PM, Brandon Pleines (21, Dover), was operating a Toyota Rav-4, eastbound on Route 8/Forrest Avenue, approaching Independence Blvd.  According to witnesses, an unknown large dark blue or black sedan was in the left lane, to the side of Pleines vehicle when it merged into the right lane,  striking the driver side of Pleines vehicle.  The initial collision caused the Pleines’ Rav-4 to swerve to the right, striking a curb which then caused the vehicle to roll over several times, striking a light pole and a mailbox.  The second driver (described as being a black male) then turned off the headlights to his vehicle and fled the area in an eastbound direction.

As a result of the incident, Brandon Pleines succumbed to his injuries.  Pleines’ passenger also suffered non life threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111 and ask for Officer Nicolosi. 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.

UPDATE:
The Dover Police Department is announcing the arrest of two suspects involved in the shooting of two people in the Manchester Square community on May 23rd, 2019.

During the investigation into this incident, detectives identified Brandon Scott (17) and Johnny Bottomley (21) as suspects in the case.

On June 13th, 2019, Scott was taken into custody at his residence in the 400 Block of Ann Avenue by the US Marshall’s First State Fugitive Task Force and was committed to Stevenson House on $97,000 cash bond.

On July 3rd, 2019, Bottomley was arrested by the Smyrna Police Department and committed to SCI on a $29,000 cash bond.

Both subjects were charged with the following offenses:
-Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Illegal Gang Participation
-Assault 2nd Degree (2x)
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Incident/Complaint#:  50-19-15609

Date/Time: Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 at 10:31PM

Location: Unit Block of Stevenson Drive, Dover, DE

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

Narrative: 

Dover Police are investigating a shooting that left a man and woman injured on Thursday night.  At approximately 10:31PM, the male and female victim were outside a residence in the Unit Block of Stevenson Drive in the Manchester Square neighborhood, when two unknown black male suspects approached and fired multiple shots at them.  Both the male and female victim were struck once in the the lower extremities and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  The suspects were described as black males, with one wearing all black, and the other wearing a black and white jacket.

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.