Delaware State Police have arrested 51-year-old David Thornton of Essex, Maryland, following a carjacking incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in Middletown.

On December 12, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., a Texas man was traveling north on State Route 301 near Summit Bridge Road, in a white Chevrolet Silverado, when he saw two vehicles that had been involved in a crash. The man stopped to help and spoke to the driver of a Mercedes involved in the crash, later identified as David Thornton. While the victim was calling 9-1-1, he saw Thronton get into the driver’s seat of his Silverado. When the victim opened the back door of the Silverado, Thornton began reaching for something, told the victim to get out, and sped away.

The Silverado was tracked electronically and was located a short time later on the ramp from northbound I-95 to Airport Road after it struck a guard rail. When troopers arrived, Thornton was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the Silverado, troopers found a revolver style CO2 BB gun.

Thornton was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries from the crashes. After he was released, he was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $20,000 cash bond.

• Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Multiple Crash Related Traffic Violations

The Delaware State Police arrested 55-year-old Jason Doyle, of Wilmington, Delaware, for felony drug offenses and related charges on Wednesday.

On December 10, 2025, the Delaware State Police Governor’s Task Force (GTF) executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Denn Place, in Wilmington. The search warrant was obtained after GTF detectives investigated Doyle for selling illegal narcotics from his home. Doyle was seen outside his home just prior to the search and was detained without incident.

The following items were found during the search:

• Approximately 520.90 grams of suspected cocaine
• A digital scale
• Packaging materials

Detectives discovered contraband in areas where children who live in the house could’ve accessed the illegal substances.

Doyle was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $42,200 cash bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Delaware State Police has arrested 28-year-old Pavan Patel, of Townsend, Delaware, for murder and related charges following a two-car fatal crash last Wednesday in Middletown involving a pregnant woman.

On December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:45 p.m., a Mazda CX-9 was traveling southbound on Jamison Corner Road, approaching a green light at Boyds Corner Road. At the same time, a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling eastbound on Boyds Corner Road, approaching a red light at Jamison Corner Road. The preliminary investigation revealed the Jeep failed to stop at the red light and crashed into the passenger side of the Mazda.

The driver of the Mazda, a 31-year-old pregnant woman from Middletown, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Due to complications resulting from the crash, the woman gave birth to the baby, La’Royce Johnson-Young. On December 6, 2025, La’Royce was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Jeep, Patel, was not injured. Troopers saw signs of impairment from Patel. On the night of the crash, Patel was taken to Troop 9 where he was originally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to stop at a red light.

The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

After learning of La’Royce’s death, the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit consulted with the Delaware Department of Justice, who authorized additional charges. On December 10, 2025, Patel turned himself in at Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $280,102.00 cash bond.

• Murder 2nd Degree Recklessly Caused Death with Indifference to Human Life (Felony)
• Assault First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Speeding
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

The Delaware State Police have arrested 50-year-old Rachel Dinorscia, of Connecticut, for aggravated menacing and weapons-related offenses following an incident on Friday night in Newark.

On December 5, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot of the Hilton, located at 100 Continental Drive, Newark, for the report of a subject brandishing a firearm toward three juveniles. Upon arrival, troopers learned that the juveniles were playing football in the hotel’s parking lot when a female, later identified as Dinorscia, pointed a weapon at them from a paratransit van parked in the same lot. The juveniles immediately ran away but were not injured.

Troopers located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and took Dinorscia into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a long rifle, which was used in the incident, along with a secondary rifle and two handguns.

Dinorscia was taken to Troop 6, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $23,500 secured bond.

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing – 3 Counts (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)

The Delaware State Police have arrested 48-year-old Adrian Spence Jr. of Dover, Delaware, in connection with an identity theft investigation that began in October in Hartly.

On October 20, 2025, troopers began investigating the theft of checks from a mailbox at a residence on the 5700 block of Halltown Road in Hartly. Detectives learned that the victims had placed outgoing mail in their mailbox, which included two checks. Soon after, a suspicious vehicle was seen at the mailbox, and after it left, the mail was gone.

The victims notified Shore United Bank, their financial institution, which then placed a stop payment on the stolen checks. On October 21, 2025, a male subject presented one of the checks at the Milford branch and identified himself as Adrian Spence Jr. The payee section of the check had been altered to display the suspect’s name, but Shore United Bank staff identified the fraud, declined the transaction, and notified the victims.

Through investigative efforts, detectives confirmed Spence Jr. as the suspect.  A warrant was issued for his arrest, and on December 4, 2025, the Dover Police Department took Spence Jr. into custody while contacting him on an unrelated matter.

Spence Jr. was transported to Troop 3, where he was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $3,500 unsecured bond for the charges listed below.

• Identity Theft (Felony)
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony)
• Forgery Second Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police have arrested 22-year-old Larry Bryant, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a felony assault that occurred on Thursday afternoon in Newark.

On December 4, 2025, at approximately 1:00 p.m., troopers responded to Peoples Plaza in Newark, Delaware, for the report of an assault.  When troopers arrived, they learned that a female DART bus driver had been assaulted by a man later identified as Larry Bryant.  The investigation showed that the driver was returning to her bus from a nearby business when Bryant began following her, making her feel uncomfortable.  The bus driver asked Bryant to stop following her and attempted to dial 911 after Bryant refused.  Bryant struck the bus driver in the face before fleeing.  The victim was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.

Through investigative means, troopers located Bryant inside a theater at Regal Cinemas and arrested him without incident.  Troopers also found that Bryant did not pay to enter the theater.

Bryant was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $6,000 secured bond.

• Assault Second Degree Causing Injury to a Public Transit Operator (Felony)
• Theft of Services Under $1500

Delaware State Police arrested 25-year-old Jordin Miller, of Newark, Delaware, for the robbery that occurred Monday evening at Christiana Mall’s Levi’s.

On December 1, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a robbery at Levi’s located inside the Christina Mall at 132 Christiana Mall Road in Newark. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown black male entered the store, shoved the clerk who was counting money, and fled after taking an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. No one was injured during the incident.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Jordin Miller as the robbery suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On December 3rd, 2025, troopers arrested Miller without incident at the Christiana Mall. He was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the crime listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $2,000 secured bond.

• Robbery Second Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police have arrested a 15-year-old, 17-year-old, and Troy Alston, 18, all students at Glasgow High School in Newark, Delaware in connection with a gun investigation on Wednesday morning.

On December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:19 a.m., the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Glasgow High School, located at 1901 South College Avenue in Newark, was alerted by staff that a 15-year-old, 17-year-old and Alston were overheard talking about a “trap”, which is commonly known to law enforcement as a handgun.  Due to these statements, the students were escorted to the office.

When the 15-year-old student was contacted by the SRO, he immediately fled into the hallway where a struggle ensued.  The 17-year-old male student and Alston grabbed the SRO from behind, attempting to prevent the trooper from taking the 15-year-old into custody.  All three students were subsequently taken into custody without further incident.

A search of the 15-year-old student’s backpack led to the discovery of a loaded .40 caliber handgun.  A computer check revealed the gun had been reported stolen to the New Castle City Police Department.  No students or staff were harmed.

The 15-year-old male student from Newark, Delaware, was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court No. 11 and committed to a Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF) facility in lieu of $117,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm by Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition by Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm in a Safe School Zone (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

Troy Alston from Bear, Delaware, was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,000 secured bond.

• Hindering Prosecution (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd (Felony)
• Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer

The 17-year-old male student from Newark, Delaware was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2, and turned over to his legal guardians.

• Hindering Prosecution (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd (Felony)
• Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer

Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Jedidiah Dorman of Georgetown, following a shooting investigation that occurred in November.

On November 19, 2025, at approximately 5:20 p.m., troopers responded to the 22000 block of Lewes Georgetown Highway in Georgetown for a report of a residence that was struck by gunfire. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown suspect, fired an unknown number of shots that struck the residence. Two adults were in the home at the time. No one was injured.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Jedidiah Dorman as the suspect responsible for the shooting.

On December 1, 2025, Dorman turned himself in at Troop 4. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $15,000 unsecured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000

Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who has relevant information to contact Detective H. Lingo by calling (302) 752-3798. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police arrested 43-year-old Dionne Warner of Harrington, Delaware, for aggravated menacing and weapon-related charges following a series of shots-fired incidents between Saturday evening and Sunday morning in Harrington.

On November 29, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., troopers responded to the 500 block of Staytonville Road in Harrington for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, troopers learned that a small passenger car had been seen leaving the area after several shots were heard. At approximately 11:15 p.m., troopers responded back to the same location after the same passenger car returned and fired a shot towards the residence. The car was seen circling the area several times before fleeing. During the investigation, troopers recovered a spent shell casing and live ammunition at the scene.

On November 30, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the same vehicle returned and fled the area after additional shots were heard. At approximately 10:30 a.m., an unknown black male driver was seen yelling from the same passenger car involved in the previous reported incidents. No homes in the area were struck, and no injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire in any of the events.

Through investigative means, Dionne Warner was identified as the suspect during the shots-fired incidents. Warner did not appear to have any ties with the residents. The investigation revealed that during each incident, Warner was reportedly searching for a family member he believed was in the area. However, detectives confirmed there is no known affiliation between that individual and the residents.

On November 30, 2025, troopers arrested Warner at his residence without incident on a separate active warrant. Warner, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing deadly weapons, was taken to Troop 3 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $47,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 4 counts
• Harassment – 4 counts

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact Detective S. Heitzman at (302) 698-8555. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.