Delaware State Police arrested 22-year-old Robert Coombes of Dover, Delaware, for felony gun charges following a traffic stop on Saturday afternoon in Dover.

On April 6, 2024, at approximately 5:57 p.m., a trooper on patrol observed a white Volkswagen Jetta traveling at a high rate of speed on West Lebanon Road in the area of South State Street in Dover. A computer inquiry of the Jetta’s Delaware registration revealed it was expired. The trooper conducted a traffic stop, and made contact with the driver, identified as Robert Coombes. Troopers observed two black handgun magazines in plain view inside the Jetta, and a subsequent probable cause search of the car led to the discovery of a green Polymer 80 ghost gun concealed under the driver’s seat, 102 rounds of ammunition, and 3 handgun magazines (pictured below). Coombes was taken into custody without incident. A computer inquiry revealed Coombes does not have a concealed carry permit.

Coombes was taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $10,200 secured bond.

• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
• Multiple Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old George Brinkley of Dover, Delaware, for multiple drug offenses and resisting arrest following a traffic stop in Dover early this morning.

On April 6, 2024, at approximately 1:51 a.m., a trooper on patrol observed a white 2022 Chrysler Pacifica with Oklahoma registration traveling on President Drive in the area of Bay Road, Dover, at a high rate of speed. As the trooper traveled behind the Pacifica, he observed it fail to maintain its lane as it continued to travel at a high rate of speed. The trooper initiated a traffic stop as the Pacifica came to a stop in a residential driveway on President Drive. A black male driver and a black male passenger exited the van and began walking into the residence. The driver, later identified as George Brinkley, disregarded the trooper’s verbal commands to stop and attempted to close the residence’s door on the trooper. Brinkley then ran out of the residence and fled on foot eastbound on President Drive. After a brief foot pursuit, Brinkley was taken into custody without incident. A search of Brinkley’s person led to the discovery of $2,570 in his back pocket. Troopers subsequently conducted a search of the Pacifica, and discovered approximately 0.714 grams of heroin packaged in 102 baggies, approximately 17.9 grams of marijuana in a clear baggie, two MDMA pills, and one cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride pill.

A computer inquiry of Brinkley revealed his license is suspended. Brinkley was taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on a $12,552 unsecured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Controlled Substance except Human Growth Hormone without Prescription – 2 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving While Suspended
• Additional Traffic Violations

Delaware State Police arrested Cesar Alzate-Valencia, 37, of Elmhurst, New York, and Lina Martinez-Aristizabal, 31, of Corona, New York, for multiple Apple product thefts from vehicles that occurred in New Castle County.

Earlier this year, troopers investigated a theft from a vehicle at various locations throughout New Castle County on the following dates: January 17, 2024, January 27, 2024, and February 26, 2024. In each incident, the victims had just purchased Apple electronic products from the Apple store located inside the Christiana Mall at 125 Christiana Mall, Newark. The victims were then followed by the unknown suspects as they drove from the Christiana Mall to their next destination. Once the victims’ vehicle was unoccupied at the new destination, an unknown Hispanic male suspect gained access into the victims’ vehicle by using a pry bar-like tool to shatter one of the vehicle’s windows. After gaining access, the suspect stole the Apple products and fled in a different suspect vehicle for each incident.

Through investigative means, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives identified one of the suspect vehicles as a 2010 black Nissan Rogue with Mississippi registration. On April 1, 2024, detectives were notified the Nissan was parked at the Christiana Mall and conducted a traffic stop on the SUV. Troopers made contact with the driver, identified as Cesar Alzate-Valencia, and the passenger, identified as Lina Martinez-Aristizabal. Detectives further identified Alzate-Valencia as the unknown Hispanic male suspect involved in all three theft incidents, and Martinez-Aristizabal as the unknown Hispanic female suspect involved in the theft on February 26, 2024.

Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Alzate-Valencia was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $16,500 secured bond.

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Criminal Mischief – 3 counts

Martinez-Aristizabal was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution on a $7,500 secured bond.

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief

Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old male of Middletown, Delaware, for multiple felony gun charges following a foot pursuit after he was found in a stolen Dodge Durango yesterday morning in Middletown.

On April 4, 2024, at approximately 9:49 a.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 2398 Dupont Parkway, Middletown, for a report of a stolen 2023 black Dodge Durango with Florida registration in the parking lot. Upon arriving, troopers located the Durango in the parking lot, and observed two unknown black male suspects exit the stolen SUV and flee on foot. The driver fled through a field towards the back of the Wawa and the passenger attempted to return to the stolen SUV before he ran west across US Route 13 northbound towards a wood line. Delaware State Police Aviation Trooper 4 conducted a search of the area for the suspects, and successfully located the passenger (pictured above) hiding near a wood line in a backyard on Jane Court. As ground troopers approached, the suspect jumped over a fence into another backyard, where he was ultimately taken into custody after a brief pursuit. The suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male.

The driver of the stolen SUV was last seen jumping over a barbed wire fence. He has not been identified and remains at large. He is described as a black male wearing all black. The suspect is possibly armed. During the foot pursuit with the driver, a trooper sustained a serious injury to his upper extremity. The trooper was taken to area hospital, where he was treated and released.

A computer inquiry of the Durango’s registration confirmed it was reported as stolen within the jurisdiction of West Manchester Township Police Department (Pennsylvania). A search of the Durango led to the discovery of a Polymer 80 ghost gun loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition, an extended magazine containing an additional 18 rounds of ammunition, 19 Oxycodone pills, and approximately 2.57 grams of marijuana.

The 17-year-old suspect was taken to Troop 9, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on a $28,100 secured bond.

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited who also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Under 18 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition by Person Under 18 (Felony)
• Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Value Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^ndDegree (Felony)
• Possession of Marijuana by Person Under 18
• Resisting Arrest

Troopers continue to investigate this incident and are asking for anyone with information regarding this case or the unknown suspect to contact Corporal C. Drake by calling (302) 464-3371. 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 54-year-old Mark Coney of Wilmington, Delaware, for a shoplifting turned robbery that occurred Tuesday afternoon at a Wilmington area Family Dollar.

On April 2, 2024, at approximately 12:45 p.m., troopers responded to the Family Dollar located at 1311 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, for a report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown black male suspect was confronted by Family Dollar employees for concealing items in his jacket. The suspect became aggressive, and a physical altercation ensued before the suspect fled from the store. Once outside, the suspect retrieved a baseball bat from his black four-door sedan and reapproached the store. He then threatened employees with the bat and placed it between the front doors to prevent employees from closing them. After the employees were able to close and lock the front doors, the suspect fled in his sedan in an unknown direction.

Through investigative means, Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Detectives developed Mark Coney as the suspect involved in the robbery and identified the suspect vehicle as a black Chevrolet four-door sedan. On April 4, 2024, detectives observed Coney operating the Chevrolet in Wilmington, and conducted a traffic stop. Coney was subsequently taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 2. Coney was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $32,000 cash bond.

• Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts

Delaware State Police arrested 33-year-old Moses Warren of Newark, Delaware, for multiple felonies, including attempted robbery, burglary, and theft from several businesses throughout New Castle County.

On January 22, 2024, troopers responded to the Royal Farms located at 865 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, for a report of an attempted shoplifting of cigarettes. Through investigative means, troopers identified the suspect as Moses Warren and obtained a warrant for his arrest. However, troopers were unable to locate Warren. Between March 14, 2024, and March 20, 2024, troopers investigated five incidents involving Warren as the suspect who stole from Rite Aid, Walgreens, Royal Farms, and Wawa. After each incident, troopers obtained a warrant for Warren’s arrest and attempted to locate him. On March 25, 2024, troopers investigated a report of a burglary at the BP gas station located at 1 Jay Drive, New Castle. During the investigation, troopers learned a black male suspect and a white male suspect broke into the BP gas station during the overnight hours and stole nearly $2,000 worth of tobacco products. Troopers recognized the black male suspect as Warren and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Troopers continued their attempts to locate Warren. On March 27, 2024, Warren committed two additional shopliftings from two separate Wawa locations in New Castle County. On March 31, 2024, troopers investigated a report of an attempted robbery at the Royal Farms located at 865 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, in which Warren engaged in a physical altercation with a Royal Farms employee while attempting to steal cigarettes. Additionally, on April 1, 2024, Warren shoplifted from the Rite Aid located at 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle.

Warren had warrants for his arrest for the crimes above and for two capiases issued by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas. On April 2, 2024, the Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit with the assistance of Troop 2 Patrol, New Castle County Governor’s Task Force, and the Troop 2 Drug Unit, located Warren in an abandoned building in Wilmington and took him into custody without incident.

Warren was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the below crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $21,000 secured bond.

• Attempted Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Organized Retail Theft – 5 counts
• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 3 counts
• Attempted Shoplifting Under $1,500
• Criminal Trespass 2^nd Degree
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree
• Criminal Mischief

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit is still investigating this. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case or the unknown white male suspect to contact Detective R. Strecker by calling (302) 365-8413. 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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 63-year-old Ralph Cahall, of Greenwood, Delaware, for felony DUI following a pursuit Tuesday evening.

On April 2, 2024, at approximately 5:32 p.m., a trooper noticed a black Chevrolet Silverado with a fictitious registration plate traveling southbound on Deep Grass Lane. The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle began traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was then observed running a stop sign at the Staytonville Road intersection, at which time the trooper discontinued the pursuit while maintaining a safe distance. A short time later, the vehicle was observed crashing into a tree as it pulled onto a private lane on the 14000 block of Staytonville Road. The driver, identified as Ralph Cahall, fled the scene. After a brief search, Cahall was apprehended in a nearby wooded area.

Upon contact with Cahall, the trooper noticed signs of impairment. He was taken to Troop 3, where he displayed additional signs of impairment during Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. A computer check revealed Cahall had five previous DUI-related convictions. He was subsequently charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $9700 secured bond.

• 6^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Traffic-related offenses

Delaware State Police arrested a 16-year-old student from Newark, Delaware, for multiple felony charges after using a taser during a fight that occurred at Glasgow High School last week.

On March 26, 2024, the Delaware State Police School Resource Officer assigned to Glasgow High School located at 1901 S. College Avenue, Newark, was notified of a fight that occurred on the morning of March 25, 2024. The investigation revealed a 16-year-old student and two 15-year-old students were involved in a verbal altercation. The altercation escalated to a physical fight after the 16-year-old student removed a black taser from his pocket and walked toward the two 15-year-olds with the device activated. During the fight, the 16-year-old student used the taser on both of the 15-year-old students. School staff separated the students and the constable secured the taser.

The School Resource Officer obtained a warrant for the 16-year-old student. On March 28, 2024, the 16-year-old turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple crimes. Troopers continue to investigate this incident and charges are pending for the two 15-year-olds.

The 16-year-old was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and released to a guardian on a $13,250 unsecured bond.

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Offensive Touching – 2 counts
• Disorderly Conduct

The Delaware State Police arrested 28-year-old Daniel Rholetter of Marydel, Maryland, for the burglary of a Leipsic home last month.

On March 19, 2024, troopers were called to a home in the 200 block of Main Street in Leipsic for a burglary. When troopers arrived, they found an unknown suspect had entered the occupied home sometime overnight by pushing in a window on a screen door. Once inside, the suspect took the keys to a Dodge Ram truck. The suspect left the house and stole the truck, which has since been recovered. The investigation led detectives to Daniel Rholetter and Jennifer Barnes as the suspects in the burglary, and warrants were obtained for their arrest.

Detectives are working to locate Barnes. On April 1, 2024, Rholetter was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $24,100 secured bond.

• Burglary 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief under $1,000

Delaware State Police Troop 3 Property Crimes Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding Jennifer Barnes’ whereabouts are asked to contact Detective A. Green by calling (302) 698-8444. 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Kevin Grove and 31-year-old Kimberly King, both from Elkton, Maryland, on Sunday night for a series of parcel thefts that occurred between January and March in New Castle County.

Between January 2, 2024, and March 25, 2024, troopers investigated 18 thefts in which a white male suspect and a white female suspect stole parcels from several businesses throughout New Castle County. The investigation revealed the suspects alternated between a Chevrolet Equinox and a GMC Yukon, both with fictitious registrations, for the thefts. Through investigative means, the suspects involved in the thefts were identified as Kevin Grove and Kimberly King.

On March 31, 2024, at approximately 10:50 p.m., a trooper observed a GMC Yukon with Delaware registration pulling into the parking lot of Delaware Park located at 777 Delaware Park Boulevard in Wilmington. The trooper noted the SUV matched the description of one of the suspect vehicles involved in several parcel thefts in New Castle County over the last three months. The trooper observed a white male and a white female exit the SUV and enter the casino. The trooper conducted a computer inquiry of the Yukon and discovered the registration was fictitious. Shortly after the pair entered the casino, Delaware Park Security notified the trooper that the pair were observed exiting the casino towards a different parking lot and last seen running into a wooded area. The trooper and his K9 partner conducted a track into the wooded area, and the pair, identified as Grove and King, were taken into custody without incident.

Grove and King were taken to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Grove was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $49,328.28 secured bond.

• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 8 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 7 counts
• Theft Under $1,500 – 8 counts
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree – 9 counts

King was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released after posting a $49,328.28 secured bond.

• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 8 counts
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony) – 7 counts
• Theft Under $1,500 – 11 counts
• Conspiracy 3^rd Degree – 10 counts