Category: Dover Police News

Incident Number:  50-26-6182

Date/Time: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 1:18 a.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 has arrested a 16-year-old male of Dover, following a shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning. The investigation began at 1:18 a.m. when Dover Police received the report of a shots-fired that occurred in the unit block of Village Drive. Upon arrival, it was determined that two occupied homes had been shot. Officers canvassed the area and located two suspects walking on Bicentennial Boulevard. Both suspects ran from Officers; however, the 16-year-old was arrested on Meetinghouse Lane by responding Officers and found in possession of a stolen .380 revolver.

The second suspect has not been identified at this time.

The 16-year-old was transported to the Dover Police Department, where he was processed and arraigned.

The 16-year old was committed to Stevenson Youth Correctional Facility on $120,100 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (2 counts)
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Reckless Endangering First Degree (7 counts)
-Receiving a Stolen Firearm
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Criminal Mischief (2 counts)
-Resisting Arrest

The 16-year-old is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This 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 www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident Number:  50-26-6084

Date/Time: Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at 8:17 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Fairway Lakes Drive

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 injured two people on Monday night. The investigation began at 8:17 p.m., when Dover Police received a call for a shooting at an apartment in the unit block of Fairway Lakes Drive. Officers responded and found two victims, a 43-year-old female and 45-year-old male, both of Dover, who had sustained gunshot wounds. The female was shot in her upper body and the male was shot in his upper and lower body. Both victims were transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment. There were four juveniles in the home when the shooting occurred, who were not injured.

The ensuing investigation revealed 3 to 4 suspects approached the sliding glass door to the apartment and fired several shots into the apartment, striking the victims.

There are no leads to release at this time.

This 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 www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-26-5953

Date:  Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, at 10:46 a.m.

Location: Unit Block of South Governors Avenue, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:  M/Cpl. Ryan Schmid, Public Information Officer
Email: ryan.schmid@cj.state.de.us Phone: 302-736-7130

Narrative: The Dover Police Department arrested Cameron Chatman, 19, of Dover, on several charges following an incident that occurred Sunday morning. The investigation began at 10:46 a.m., when Officers observed Chatman pepper-spraying a currently unidentified victim on South Governors Avenue. After the victim was pepper-sprayed, Chatman was observed holding a firearm and pointing it at the currently unidentified victim. Officers responded to the scene and took Chatman into custody without incident, and found him in possession of 6.6 grams of crack cocaine and 37 bags of heroin. A Glock 19 handgun was located on a property that Chatman was observed going to after pointing it at the victim. Chatman is prohibited from possessing firearms. It was also revealed that Chatman has a no-contact order with the property he was observed entering on South Governors Avenue due to a prior incident.

Chatman was taken to Dover Police Department where he was processed and arraigned.

Chatman was committed to SCI on $121,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited
-Assault Second Degree
-Possession of a Controlled Substance With the Intent to Deliver (2 counts)
-Aggravated Menacing
-Receiving a Stolen Firearm
-Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (2 counts)
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Breach of Release
-Criminal Trespass Third Degree

Chatman is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Incident Number:  50-26-5917

Date/Time: Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at 1:21 a.m.

Location: Unit Block of Ironwood Court, 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 robbery that occurred early Sunday morning. The investigation began when Dover Police contacted the victim in the parking lot of Wawa, 2800 North DuPont Highway Dover, DE. The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim was at a residence in the unit block of Ironwood Court when he was approached by four black males who were armed with handguns. The suspects demanded the victim turn over his property, and he complied. The suspects fled and stole his vehicle as well. The vehicle has since been recovered and there are no leads to release at this time.

This 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 www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-26-5492

Date:  Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Stoney Drive, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:  M/Cpl. Ryan Schmid, Public Information Officer
Email: ryan.schmid@cj.state.de.us Phone: 302-736-7130

Narrative: The Dover Police Department arrested Eric Dryden, 61, of Dover, following a barricade incident that occurred on Wednesday. The investigation began at 3:34 p.m. when Dover Police were called to a residence in the unit block of Stoney Drive for the report of a domestic-related incident in which a firearm had been discharged. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim.

The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim had gotten into an argument with Dryden inside the home. During the argument, Dryden assaulted the victim and, at one point, pointed a firearm at her and discharged a round into a wall inside the residence. The victim was able to safely exit the home and contact police.

Officers attempted to get Dryden to exit the residence but were unsuccessful, prompting a response from the Dover Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Dover Police Crisis Negotiations Team, and Delaware State Police SORT. Due to the location of the incident, significant traffic disruptions occurred, and the Delaware Department of Transportation responded to assist with traffic control.

Dryden exited the residence several times while holding a firearm but quickly re-entered and refused to surrender to police.

During the incident, the decision was made to disable electricity to the residence. As a result, a City of Dover electric employee was escorted to the side of the residence by a Delaware State Police officer operating an armored vehicle and two Dover Police SORT members. While power was being disabled, Dryden discharged a firearm from inside the residence toward the exterior, nearly striking the electric employee and assisting officers.

Dryden eventually sustained a self-inflicted injury inside the residence and subsequently surrendered to police. He was treated on scene by medical personnel and transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Dryden remains hospitalized at an undisclosed location and will be formally arraigned on the following charges once medically cleared:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2 counts)
• Reckless Endangering (4 counts)
• Aggravated Menacing
• Resisting Arrest
• Offensive Touching

Dryden is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners at the Capital School District for opening Dover High School as a safe location for residents displaced during this incident. We also thank the Delaware State Police for their continued support and collaboration, as well as the Delaware Department of Transportation for assisting with traffic control. Our gratitude extends to Kent County Paramedics and Ambulnz for the medical care they provided.

Finally, we offer a heartfelt thank you to the residents who were displaced. Your patience and cooperation allowed us to carry out our responsibilities safely and effectively while ensuring others remained out of harm’s way.

Incident Number:  50-26-5063

Date/Time: Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 1:00 a.m.

Location: Unit Block of South Independence Blvd, 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 robbery that occurred early Sunday morning. The investigation began when Dover Police were contacted by the victim in a parking lot located in the unit block of South Independence Blvd. The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim attended a party in the area. After the party, the victim was approached by two suspects, and one pointed a handgun at him, demanding his property. The victim complied, and the suspects left the area in a gray vehicle. The suspects are described as black males with masks.

There are no leads to release at this time.

This 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 www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

The following images contain the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notifications for the City of Dover.  If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.