NEWS

Incident/Complaint#:  50-26-1543

Date:  Between Friday, January 9th, 2026 and Sunday, January 11th, 2026

Location: Unit Block of Greenway Square Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:  Master Corporal Ryan Schmid, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Joseph Cotton, 73, of Dover, DE. Cotton was last seen in the unit block of Greenway Square sometime between January 9th and January 11th, 2026. It is unknown what he was wearing at the time. Attempts to contact him have been negative and there is a concern for his safety. Cotton is described as a white male, 5’11, 190, bald head and brown eyes.

If you have any information on Cotton’s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111

Incident Number:  50-26-1225

Date/Time: Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 3:55 a.m.

Location: Unit Block of South Governors 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 investigating a shooting that occurred early Monday morning. The investigation began at 3:55 a.m., when Dover Police was called to the unit block of South Governors Avenue in reference to shots fired. Upon arrival, Officers found evidence that a shooting had occurred. While Officers were on scene, a 24-year-old male of Dover showed up at Bayhealth Kent Campus with a gunshot wound to his lower body. Two other victims were contacted on scene and advised that they were shot at by two unknown suspects. Thankfully, they were not injured by gunfire.

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 Number:  50-26-651

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 between 9:29 a.m. and 9:49 a.m.

Location: 400 Block of East Loockerman Street 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 burglary that occurred on Wednesday morning. The investigation began at 9:49 a.m., when Dover Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Loockerman Street in reference to a burglary complaint. The ensuing investigation revealed that sometime between 9:29 a.m. and 9:49 a.m., a black male forced entry into the home that was occupied by two juveniles. The male began to rummage through the home and take property belonging to the victim, but when he was confronted by one of the juveniles, he fled the residence.

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 Number:  50-26-578

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 at 7:01 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of South New Street 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 Tuesday evening. The investigation began at 7:01 p.m. when Dover Police responded to the unit block of South New Street for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival Officers found a vehicle and a home were struck by gunfire. The ensuing investigation revealed that two victims were seated in a vehicle when they were shot at by unknown suspects. One of the victims exited the vehicle and ran away. Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident; however, the vehicle and a nearby home were damaged by the gunfire. The victim that ran away refused to cooperate with Police.

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 Number:  50-26-556

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 at 2:27 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Fairway Lakes Drive Dover, DE

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

The Dover Police Department has arrested Traymere Stevens, 29, of Magnolia, following a barricade situation on Tuesday afternoon. The investigation began at 2:27 p.m. Tuesday, when members of the Dover Police Department’s Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, US Marshals First State Fugitive Task Force, and the ATF attempted to arrest Stevens in the Unit block of Fairway Lakes Drive. Stevens was currently wanted for a shooting that occurred in June of 2025 (Dover Police Investigate Shooting). When Officers attempted to arrest Stevens, he ran into an apartment in the unit block of Fairway Lakes Drive and refused to exit the apartment.

The Dover Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team and Crisis Negotiations team were activated and responded to the scene to assist. After approximately two and a half hours, at 4:49 p.m., Stevens surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers conducted a search of the apartment and located 33.5 grams of cocaine, 51.5 grams of crack cocaine, and a silver revolver type handgun.

Stevens was committed to SCI on $188,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Assault First Degree
-Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (4x)
-Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited(2x)
-Tampering With Physical Evidence
-Criminal Mischief Over $5000
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Resisting Arrest
-Criminal Mischief Under $1000
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Stevens is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Incident Number:  50-26-407

Date/Time: Monday, January 5th, 2026, 3:58 a.m.

Location: Flavor of India, 348 North DuPont Highway, 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 burglary that occurred at Flavor of India early Monday morning. The investigation began at 10:06 a.m., when Dover Police responded to the business for the report of a burglary. The ensuing investigation revealed that between 3:58 a.m. and 4:58 a.m., a black male entered the business through a rear door, and once inside, removed money and left.

The suspect is described as a black male, wearing all black clothing and black/white sneakers. There are no additional 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 Number:  50-26-367

Date/Time: Sunday, January 4th, 2025 at 10:03 p.m.

Location: Unit Block of Rockford Crossing, 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 late Sunday evening. The investigation began at 10:03 p.m., when Dover Police responded to the unit block of Rockford Crossing for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, Officers made contact with the victim. The ensuing investigation revealed the victim was approached by a black male with a silver handgun who demanded the victim turn over his electric scooter. The victim ran away, and the suspect stole the victim’s scooter and fled.

There are no additional 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.