Delaware State Police
News Release

Two Local Men Charged with Aggravated Menacing after Displaying Gun during Alleged Road Rage Incident

Released-Sunday, February 24, 2008

Georgetown-The Delaware State Police recently charged to local men with aggravated menacing and conspiracy after they allegedly displayed a handgun while traveling on U.S.113 near Georgetown.

On Friday, February 22, 2008 at approximately 8:06 p.m. state troopers were dispatched to the area of U.S.113 south of Georgetown to investigate an aggravated menacing incident.

During the investigation officers learned a teal green Honda Accord bearing DE registration was southbound on U.S.113 closely following another vehicle operated by the victim. The 18-year-old victim from Frankford told troopers 

he realized the Accord was following too closely and tapped his brakes for a split second.

The Accord continued to follow the victim closely.  As both vehicles continued southbound, the Accord finally passed the victim and pulled along side of him. At this time, the driver of the Accord, later identified as Stefone D. Dukes, 20, of Lincoln partially rolled his window down, turned and looked at the victim and displayed what appeared to be a handgun.

The victim told troopers the suspect displayed the weapon before driving off southbound on U.S.113. Troopers later stopped the Accord on U.S. 113 just north of Millsboro.

Dukes and his friend/ passenger later identified as Michael Pritchett, 18, of Lewes were taken into custody without incident.  Officers checked the interior of the Accord and located a black Crossman BB/Pellet gun under the right front passenger's seat. The gun had been painted black and resembled a real handgun.

As a result of the investigation Dukes was formally charged on Friday, with the following criminal offenses: Aggravated Menacing (F), Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (F) and Following Too Closely (traffic offense).  Dukes was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $5,200.00 cash bail.