Category: Dover Police News

Incident #: 50-15-11555 Date/Time: Monday, May 4th, 2015 at 12:50PM

Location: 800 Block of Maple Parkway, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested one suspect and has warrants for another after an attempted residential burglary occurred on Monday afternoon.  At approximately 12:54PM, Ryan Vaina (22) and Robert Cook (24) attempted to enter a home in the 800 block of Maple Parkway by prying open the rear door.  The victim arrived home while the suspects were making their attempt, causing them to flee the area.  The victim was able to recognize the suspects and contacted the Dover Police Department.  A short time after being notified, police found Ryan Vaina a short distance away from the residence and took him into custody without incident.  Vaina was released on a $6,250 unsecured bond by Justice of the Peace Court 7.  Both Vaina and Cook are/will be charged with the following offenses:
-Attempted Burglary Second Degree
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Criminal Mischief

On May 4, 2015, Dover Police Officer Cpl. Thomas Webster was arrested after a grand jury indictment was handed down charging him with Assault 2nd Degree, which is a felony. The indictment stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 24, 2013, where Webster, who was assigned to the patrol division, responded to the Hess gas station (now renamed Speedway Service Station) for a fight in progress where one of the people involved was possibly armed with a gun. When Webster arrived at the complaint, he contacted a subject who matched the description of one of the people involved in the fight at the gas station, and attempted to take him into custody. Webster, along with another officer, had the subject at gun point, giving him verbal commands to get on the ground to which the subject eventually complied. As the subject was in the process of getting on the ground he was kicked in the head once by Webster rendering him unconscious. After this occurred the subject was placed in handcuffs and taken into custody. This incident was captured on video by a Dover Police Department in car camera system. The subject was  transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment for the injuries he suffered while being arrested and was found to have a broken jaw.

 
In November 2013, the Dover Police Department placed Webster on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and review of the case by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office. In March of 2014, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office took the case before a grand jury who did not return an indictment for Webster. At that time the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware reviewed the case and found that there was not a civil rights violation. After both agencies conducted their separate investigations, the Dover Police Department completed the internal investigation on Webster finding that his actions regarding this incident were outside of Dover Police Department policy and acted accordingly.

 
In June 2014, Webster returned to full duty with the Dover Police Department and was reassigned to the patrol division. On May 4, 2015, the Dover Police Department learned that the Delaware Attorney General’s office indicted Cpl. Webster on the charge of Assault 2nd degree on the same day. Upon being notified of the indictment the Dover Police Department immediately placed Webster on leave without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case.

 
On May 4, 2015, Webster turned himself in and was presented to Commissioner Andrea Freud of the Kent County Superior Court where he was released on $5,000.00 unsecured bond.

Date/Time: Thursday, April 30th, 2015 at 09:42

Location:  Pine Grove Apartments, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:
Early Thursday morning the Dover Police Department responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Pine Grove Apartments.  Upon arrival, officers discovered a 19-year-old victim, DaShawn Friend.  Friend had been shot multiple times and was declared deceased on the scene as a result from his injuries. Throughout the remainder of the day, police and detectives pursued multiple leads in the case which led arrest of two suspects.

Fchante Robertson, 27, was charged with the following offenses: 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Robbery, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited, and Resisting Arrest.

James White, 30, was charged with the following offenses:  1st Degree Robbery, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, and Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited.

 

Date/Time: Thursday, April 30th, 2015 at 09:42

Location:  Pine Grove Apartments, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is currently on the scene of a fatal shooting incident in the Pine Grove Apartment complex. Several officers from our department, with assistance from the Delaware State Police are searching the area for a possible suspect. As a result, Reilly Brown Elementary School is keeping all students and staff indoors as a precaution. Please avoid traveling in the area of Webbs Lane between Governors Avenue and New Burton Road. We will provide further details as they become available.

Incident #: 50-15-11113 Date/Time: Wednesday, April 29th, 2015 at 1942 hours

Location: 1001 Whiteoak Road (Whiteoak Condos Development) Dover, Delaware

Officer Releasing Information: Lt. David E. Spicer Criminal Investigation Unit Commander

Narrative:

On Wednesday April 29, 2015 at 1942 hours Officers from the City of Dover Police Department Safe Streets Unit attempted to contact defendant Joevon R. Russ (39) as part of a drug investigation. Upon Russ observing the officers he decided to flee on foot and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. While being taken into custody defendant Russ resisted arrest causing damage to a mirror of a parked vehicle at Whiteoak Condos. During the arrest defendant Russ managed to swallow/ ingest what appeared to be suspected crack cocaine. Officers attempted to remove the suspected crack cocaine from the defendants mouth but were unsuccessful. Defendant Russ was transported to Bay Health Hospital in Dover, DE for a medical evaluation. Defendant Russ was treated and released from Bay Health Hospital with no injuries. Defendant Russ was processed at Dover Police Department and then arraigned at JP#7. Defendant Russ received a $1500.00 secured bond and was released from court.

 

Defendant: Joevon R. Russ

Age: 39

Resides : 700 Block of Bacon Ave. Dover, DE

Charges: Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief, Tampering with Physical Evidence

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 at 3:01PM

Location: 100 Block of South Queen Street, Dover, Delaware

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

Update: The Dover Police Department has arrested Marquis Boyer-Smith (20), from the 400 block of New Castle Avenue, for the shooting that occurred at 3:01PM on South Queen Street on Tuesday. Downtown surveillance cameras operated by Dover Police Department Emergency Communication Operators, captured Boyer-Smith fleeing the shooting and was able to provide officers with a description and location of Boyer-Smith. Boyer-Smith was arrested without incident and charged with Assault 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Reckless Endangering 1st Degree. Boyer-Smith was committed to James T. Vaughn Correction Center in default of $84,000 cash bond.

Original Narrative:
The Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating a shooting that occurred this afternoon in the 100 block of South Queen Street. At approximately 3:01PM, a 27-year-old male was shot three times. The victim is currently being treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital. The Dover Police Department does have a person of interest in custody, but is not prepared to disclose any further details at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111 or the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302)-736-7138. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police Department MyPD Mobile App.

 

Incident #: 50-15-1 Date/Time: Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 at 3:01PM

Location: 100 Block of South Queen Street, Dover, Delaware

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

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating a shooting that occurred this afternoon in the 100 block of South Queen Street.  At approximately 3:01PM, a 27-year-old male was shot three times.  The victim is currently being treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.  The Dover Police Department does have a person of interest in custody, but is not prepared to disclose any further details at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111 or the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302)-736-7138. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police Department MyPD Mobile App.