Delaware State Police arrested 38-year-old Vernon Hines, of Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with an organized retail theft incident which occurred mid-October at Dick’s House of Sport in Wilmington.

On October 13, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a theft in progress at Dick’s House of Sport, located at 1000 Brandywine Parkway, in Wilmington. Store employees reported that three suspects had stolen an estimated $2,500 worth of merchandise and fled the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu bearing a Delaware temporary registration tag. Responding troopers located a vehicle matching that description traveling southbound on Concord Pike, near I-95. When troopers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled into the City of Wilmington, committing multiple traffic violations in an attempt to evade capture.

The suspect vehicle was located moments later near E. 28th Street and Jessup Street. Troopers observed the suspects running from the Malibu while carrying stolen merchandise. Kerryn Vinson and Taysha Bultran were apprehended, however an unknown black male suspect remained at-large.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Vernon Hines as the remaining suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On October 28, 2025, Hines was arrested without incident in Wilmington. He was taken to Troop 1 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $4,000 secured bond.

• Theft Organized Retail Crime (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police arrested 27-year-old Najee Chambers, from Middletown, Delaware, for assault after investigating a reported robbery that occurred last week in New Castle.

On October 24, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a warehouse complex parking lot located in the 2400 block of Bear Corbitt Road for what was originally reported to be a robbery. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 25-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, had arranged to sell Apple products to an unknown man after communicating with him by text message. The two agreed to meet in the warehouse parking lot. When the suspect arrived in a dark-colored SUV, he exited the passenger side of the vehicle and attempted to take the items from the victim forcibly. During the struggle, the suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun and struck the victim several times in the back of the head. The suspect then returned to the vehicle without the items and fled the scene. The victim was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

• Assault First Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police have arrested a 16-year-old male from Wyoming, Delaware, for felony gun and related charges following a traffic stop in Wyoming Tuesday night.

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 8:50 p.m., a trooper saw a motorized scooter, with no light, traveling on Layton Avenue near Broad Street in Wyoming. The trooper pulled the scooter over, and spoke to the driver, identified as a 16-year-old male. While talking to the teenager, the trooper saw a rectangular shaped object near his waistband, and after the trooper asked the teenager if he had anything on him, he ran away. After a short foot pursuit, the teenager was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the teen, the trooper found a loaded Polymer 80 9mm handgun, with no serial number, in his waistband.

The teenager 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 Stevenson House Detention Center on a $21,200 secured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition for a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon – Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of an Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Unlawful Operation of a Motorized Skateboard or Scooter on a Public Highway, Streets, Sidewalks, or Right of Way

Delaware State Police have arrested 21-year-old Wah’kee Tabron, from Newark, Delaware, and a 16-year-old male, from Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with an armed robbery that occurred mid-October at a Motel 6 in Newark.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., troopers responded to Motel 6, located at 100 McIntosh Plaza in Newark, for a report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that a woman met a man online and agreed to meet at Motel 6. When the man arrived, a second man approached moments later, armed with a handgun. The suspects demanded the victim’s money and property then fled. No injuries were reported.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Wah’kee Tabron and a 16-year-old male as the suspects during the incident and obtained warrants for their arrest.

On October 24, 2025, Tabron, who was already in custody at the Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI), was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and remained at SCI on a $32,000 secured bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

On October 24, 2025, the 16-year-old male, who was already in custody at the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF), was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court, and remained at DSCYF on a $15,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ward, of Elkton, Maryland, for burglary and related charges in connection with multiple burglaries of a business in Newark.

After troopers responded to multiple reports of burglary at United Lines Construction Services (ULCS), located at 2113 Ogletown Road in Newark, Delaware, State Police Troop 2 Property Crimes detectives assumed the investigation and learned the following:

Between September 30, 2025, and October 2, 2025, an unknown suspect cut a hole in ULCS’ fence, entered the property, and stole approximately $5,000 worth of copper wire from three storage containers. During the incident, the suspect caused approximately $500 in property damage to the business.

On October 9, 2025, an unknown suspect cut another hole in ULCS’ fence and stole approximately $23,400 worth of copper wire and street lighting equipment from three locked storage containers. During this incident, the suspect caused approximately $1,045 in property damage to the business.

Between October 15, 2025, and October 16, 2025, an unknown suspect, with a similar appearance from the 10/09/25 incident, returned to the business and cut another hole in the fence. The suspect stole approximately $15,000 worth of copper wire and caused $500 worth of damage.

On October 21, 2025, an unknown suspect with a similar appearance returned to ULCS and stole approximately $450 worth of copper wire. No property damage was reported during this incident.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Matthew Ward as the suspect from all four incidents. On October 23, 2025, detectives located Ward in Newark and took him into custody without incident.

Ward was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $6,800 unsecured bond.

• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 6 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft Under $1,500
• Criminal Mischief – 3 counts
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 4 counts

Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Datahj Smith, of Dover, Delaware, for DUI and drug offenses following a pursuit in Claymont on Thursday morning.

On October 23, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., a trooper patrolling on I-95 near Harvey Road in Claymont saw a Volkswagen Jetta commit multiple traffic violations. The trooper stopped the Jetta and contacted the driver, later identified as Datahj Smith, who also showed signs of impairment. Smith provided a false name to the trooper. When the trooper asked Smith to exit the vehicle, he fled northbound on I-95.

Troopers pursued Smith as he exited I-95, before turning onto Naamans Road. During the pursuit, the Jetta drove at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner on several roads and streets near Naamans Road. Troopers successfully stopped the Jetta on Naamans Road, near Concord Pike, and took Smith into custody without further incident. A subsequent search of the Jetta led to the discovery of approximately 53.5 grams of suspected phencyclidine (PCP) and approximately .27 grams of suspected heroin.

Smith was taken to Troop 1 where he was administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $28,114 cash bond.

• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Criminal Impersonation
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence
• Multiple traffic offenses

Delaware State Police arrested 39-year-old Bradley Buchman of Dover, Delaware, following a welfare check Wednesday afternoon that led to the discovery of suspected drugs.

On October 22, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., troopers were conducting a follow-up on an unrelated investigation at a residence in the 4000 block of Forrest Avenue. While there, they observed a man slumped over and snoring in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck parked in the driveway with the driver’s door open.

Troopers approached the vehicle to check on the man’s welfare. While attempting to wake him, troopers observed a blue wax bag, consistent with heroin packaging, in plain view on the center console. Once the man woke up, he was identified as Buchman. He was then removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident.

A search of Buchman revealed approximately 33 blue wax bags containing a total of approximately .99 grams of suspected heroin and two bags containing approximately 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia and an object that appeared to be a handmade explosive device.

The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene and determined that the object was an improvised explosive device.

Buchman was transported to Troop 3, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $4,000 unsecured bond for the drug-related charges.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office also charged Buchman with one count of Possession of an Explosive Device (Felony).  He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $5,000 cash bond for that charge at the time.

Delaware State Police arrested 61-year-old Oscar Johnson of Salisbury, Maryland, on felony DUI and drug charges following a traffic stop late Wednesday night.

On October 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a trooper observed a BMW with Maryland registration speeding on Delmar Road. The vehicle failed to maintain its lane, crossing onto the shoulder and into the grass. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as Oscar Johnson, who showed signs of impairment and emitted a strong odor of alcoholic beverages.

While troopers conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Johnson displayed additional signs of impairment. During the traffic stop, troopers observed him attempting to kick a clear plastic bag under his vehicle. The bag was recovered and found to contain a white, rock-like substance consistent with crack cocaine. Troopers also located a pill bottle containing a white powdery substance.

Johnson was taken into custody and transported to Troop 5, where the substances tested positive for cocaine with a combined weight of approximately 105 grams. A computer inquiry revealed that Johnson had two prior DUI-related convictions. A blood search warrant was obtained, and he was subsequently charged with the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• 3^rd Offense DUI (Felony)
• Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving without a Valid License
• Multiple Traffic Offenses

Johnson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,106 secured bond at the time.

Delaware State Police arrested 36-year-old Shamar Clark, of Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday for promoting prison contraband and felony drug charges. Additionally, troopers are seeking assistance in locating his coconspirators, 35-year-old Charles Chambers, of Wilmington, and 31-year-old Jalen Hubbard, of Dover, Delaware.

On July 23, 2025, Delaware State Police Troop 2 Drug Unit was notified by the Department of Correction after illegal drugs and contraband were found by correctional officers at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, located at 1181 Paddock Road in Smyrna. The investigation revealed a couch was delivered to the prison to be reupholstered by the furniture shop of Delaware Correctional Industries, a skill training and employment program operated within the facility. Correctional officers inspected the couch, smelled the odor of marijuana, and discovered the following items hidden inside of it:

• Approximately 59.60 grams of methamphetamine
• Approximately 1,625.3 grams of marijuana and THC infused edibles
• Approximately 34 sheets of suspected K2 or K3 infused papers
• Approximately 251.40 grams of gabapentin pills
• Approximately 80 suboxone strips
• 2 cell phones
• 53 USB drives

Through investigative means, detectives determined that Shamar Clark, an inmate at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, had coordinated with Charles Chambers and Jalen Hubbard to smuggle the illegal drugs and contraband into the facility. On October 7, 2025, detectives obtained arrest warrants for all three suspects.

On October 20, 2025, Clark was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and remained at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on a $64,000 secured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Chambers and Hubbard remain at-large and are wanted by the Delaware State Police for the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Troopers are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Charles Chambers or Jalen Hubbard to contact Troop 2 by calling (302) 834-2620. 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old Meshech Morris, of Wilmington, Delaware, and 20-year-old Marquist Charpentier, of Lanham, Maryland, for felony offenses in connection with a stolen Dodge Charger early Monday morning.

On October 20, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., troopers were notified of a stolen Dodge Charger that was being electronically tracked to Bonwood Road in Wilmington. The Dodge had previously been reported stolen to the Maple Shade Police Department in New Jersey. Troopers learned that two suspects, later identified as Meshech Morris and Marquist Charpentier, drove to a dealership in an Infiniti Q50, stole the Dodge, then fled in both vehicles.

Upon arriving to the 1600 block of Bonwood Road, troopers saw the Infiniti, occupied by Morris and Charpentier, driving away from a parked vehicle which was concealed by a car cover. Troopers took Morris and Charpentier into custody without incident.

During a subsequent search of the Infiniti, troopers located a device used for programming universal key fobs along with a functional reprogrammed key fob. When the trooper pressed the unlock button on the found key fob, the head lights of the vehicle under the car cover turned on. The car was determined to be the stolen Dodge.

Morris was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $9,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Charpentier was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $7,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)