The Delaware State Police has identified and located the vehicle of interest as a Chevrolet Equinox that was involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred last month in Seaford. The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash and is working to identify the driver. 

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 arrested 53-year-old Eric Jackson, of Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with a series of overnight business burglaries in the greater Wilmington area.

On July 21, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., troopers responded to Metro PCS, located at 107 North Maryland Avenue in Wilmington, for a reported burglary. The investigation determined that during the overnight hours, a masked suspect rode a scooter to the business, used a hammer to shatter the front glass, and entered the store. Once inside, the suspect stole merchandise before fleeing the area.

On July 22, 2026, at approximately 9:15 a.m., troopers responded to Charles Liquors, located at 807 Old DuPont Road in Wilmington, for another reported burglary. Investigators learned a masked suspect with a similar appearance used a hammer to gain access to the business before selecting products and fleeing on a scooter.

On August 2, 2026, at approximately 2:30 a.m., troopers responded to the BP gas station, located at 3507 Miller Road in Wilmington, for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed that a suspect matching the description from the previous incidents forced entry into the business using an unknown tool, stole merchandise, and fled before troopers arrived.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. Through investigative efforts, Detectives identified Jackson as a person of interest.

On August 5, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a trooper conducting business checks along Maryland Avenue observed a suspicious man, later identified as Jackson, walking near 302 Smoke Land, located at 613 South Maryland Avenue in Wilmington. When Jackson fled the area, the trooper discovered that the business’s front glass had been damaged in an apparent attempted burglary.

Additional troopers responded and established a perimeter. A short time later, troopers located Jackson riding a scooter and attempted to take him into custody. Jackson fled, but after a brief pursuit and struggle, troopers arrested him in the City of Wilmington.

A search following Jackson’s arrest led to the recovery of stolen merchandise and additional evidence linking him to the previous burglaries. During the investigation, detectives also learned the Elsmere Police Department had responded to a burglary at a business in the 1500 block of Kirkwood Highway minutes prior. Investigators determined Jackson was in possession of merchandise stolen during that burglary and notified the Elsmere Police Department.

Jackson was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $8,600 secured bond.

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 4 counts
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Attempted to Commit Burglary (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 4 counts
• Theft Under $1500 – 3 counts
• Resisting Arrest
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 – 4 counts

The Delaware State Police have arrested 23-year-old Emily Pryor Albino of Seaford, Delaware, for felony sexual abuse and solicitation of teenage children as part of an ongoing investigation. Detectives are seeking assistance in identifying potential victims associated with the investigation.

On August 4, 2026, detectives began investigating the sexual abuse and solicitation of two teenage children after learning that Emily Pryor Albino, a dance instructor at X-Treme Dance Studio in Laurel, Delaware, had sexually abused two teens that attend the dance studio. Further investigation revealed that Pryor Albino also exchanged sexually explicit messages with the two victims. Detectives have reason to believe there are additional unidentified victims.

Pryor Albino was arrested and charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $110,000 cash bond.

• 1st Degree Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person of Trust (Felony) – 4 counts
• Sexual Solicitation of a Child Using Computer/Cell Phone/Other Electronic Device (Felony)

The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice. Detectives are asking anyone with information or who may be a victim to please contact Detective R. Mitchell by calling 302-752-3794. 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 has arrested 28-year-old William Simpler Jr., of Saint Georges, Delaware, for murder following a road rage shooting in Newark on Tuesday.

On August 4, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Salem Church Road and Old Baltimore Pike in Newark for a report of a shooting. Responding troopers located 46-year-old Jason Paoletti of Bear, Delaware, lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

Due to the nature of the incident, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation. Preliminarily, detectives learned that the victim, who was operating a motorcycle, was traveling behind a Hyundai Elantra and stopped for a red light at the intersection.  Paoletti then pulled his motorcycle in front of the Hyundai, and the Hyundai then moved alongside the victim on his left side.  Paoletti and the occupants of the Hyundai then became involved in a verbal altercation.  The victim stepped off his motorcycle and began to reach into a saddlebag when the front-seat passenger of the Hyundai, later identified as Simpler Jr., shot Paoletti.  Through investigative means, detectives identified the suspect and the Hyundai that fled the scene.

Detectives responded to Simpler’s residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.  He was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $1,500,000 cash bond.

• Murder First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Thursday in Hartly.

On July 30, 2026, at approximately 5:40 a.m., troopers responded to the unit block of Slaughter Station Road in Hartly for a report of a shooting incident. When troopers arrived, they learned sometime during the overnight hours, unknown suspects fired an unknown number of shots that struck an occupied residence. No one was injured.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to call Detective I. Hitchens at (302) 698-8503. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) is issuing the following public notification of a homeless sex offender.

Homeless Sex Offender

The following individual is not wanted for failing to register or re-register at their current address.  This is a homeless sex offender public notification.  If you have information that the listed individual is occupying a residence, please call (302) 739-5882. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

The individual shown is recently reported as homeless and represent only a portion of the current homeless sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

The Delaware State Police obtained arrest warrants for 37-year-old Matthew Osborne and 25-year-old Haley Barton, both of North East, Maryland, following a series of retail thefts and an attempted robbery that occurred at multiple businesses in Newark and Bear.

On June 29, 2026, at approximately 2:20 p.m., troopers responded to Home Depot, located at 2000 Peoples Plaza in Bear, for a reported shoplifting. The investigation determined that Barton loaded a shopping cart with more than $800 worth of power tools and equipment before fleeing to a pickup truck driven by Osborne. Customers followed Barton and recorded the incident, prompting her to abandon most of the stolen merchandise before the pair fled the area.

On July 9, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Osborne entered the ShopRite located at 700 Plaza Drive in Newark and filled a shopping cart with more than $260 worth of merchandise before fleeing to a pickup truck driven by Barton.

On the evening of July 12, 2026, Osborne and Barton entered Lowe’s, located at 3000 Ogletown Road in Newark, where they worked together to steal more than $930 worth of power tools and equipment before fleeing in their pickup truck.

After leaving Lowe’s, the pair went to the ShopRite located at 19 Chestnut Hill Plaza in Newark. Osborne entered the store first and filled a shopping cart with more than $470 worth of merchandise before walking out. Barton then entered the store to retrieve the cart. As she attempted to push the merchandise outside, the cart’s anti-theft wheels locked, and the pair fled without the stolen items.

Later that evening, Osborne returned to the ShopRite located at 700 Plaza Drive, where he stole more than $240 worth of merchandise before fleeing in the pickup truck.

On July 16, 2026, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Osborne and Barton entered Cabela’s, located at 1100 Christiana Mall Road in Newark, and stole multiple airsoft rifles valued at more than $560 before fleeing in their pickup truck.

On July 23, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the pair returned to Lowe’s at 3000 Ogletown Road, where they stole more than $340 worth of power tools and equipment before leaving the area in their vehicle.

On July 27, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Barton entered the ShopRite located at 19 Chestnut Hill Road and loaded a shopping cart with over $200 worth of merchandise. Store employees recognized Barton and attempted to stop her as she exited the store without paying.  During the ensuing struggle, Barton pepper sprayed an employee while Osborne entered to assist with her escape.

Through investigative efforts, troopers and detectives assigned to the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit linked Osborne and Barton to each of these incidents and obtained warrants for their arrests.

On July 29, 2026, Osborne and Barton were arrested in North East, Maryland. Upon their extradition to Delaware, they will be charged with the following offenses:

Matthew Osborne:

• Attempted to Commit Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Shoplifters Tools (Felony) – 4 counts
• Attempted to Commit Possession of Shoplifters Tools (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
• Theft Organized Retail Crime – 4 counts
• Attempted to Commit Theft Organized Retail Crime
• Shoplifting Under $1500
• Conspiracy Third Degree – 3 counts

Haley Barton:

• Attempted to Commit Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Shoplifters Tools (Felony) – 4 counts
• Attempted to Commit Possession of Shoplifters Tools (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
• Carry a Concealed Dangerous Instrument
• Theft Organized Retail Crime – 4 counts
• Attempted to Commit Theft Organized Retail Crime
• Shoplifting Under $1500
• Conspiracy Third Degree – 3 counts

The Delaware State Police is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle of interest regarding the fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 73-year-old Michael Barrett, last Friday in Seaford. 

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the pictured red or maroon vehicle. The vehicle may have damage to the right front headlight area. 

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators are asking anyone with information relevant to this crash investigation to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (302) 644-5020. 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 arrested 31-year-old Wilkin Dejesus-Perez, of Newark, Delaware, on felony drug charges following a multi-month drug distribution investigation in Townsend.

The investigation began in June 2026, when troopers received information that Dejesus-Perez was distributing narcotics in Townsend, Delaware. Detectives from the Delaware State Police Special Investigations Unit took over the case and determined Dejesus-Perez was dealing drugs from his Honda Accord.

On July 29, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., detectives saw the Honda Accord at a convenience store in the 4200 block of DuPont Parkway. Investigators conducted a traffic stop and took Dejesus-Perez into custody without incident. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, detectives recovered:

-Approximately 34 grams of suspected crack cocaine

-Approximately 2.8 grams of suspected cocaine

-Approximately 6.8 grams of suspected heroin

-A fraudulent Delaware identification card

-More than $2,200 in suspected drug proceeds

Dejesus-Perez was taken to Troop 9 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $84,200 cash bond.

• Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Forgery Second Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Delaware State Police have arrested 67-year-old Donald Johnson, Jr., of Magnolia, Delaware, for robbery and related offenses, following an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday night at a Valero gas station in Dover.

On July 28, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., troopers responded to Valero, located at 1612 South Dupont Highway in Dover, for a report of an armed robbery. The investigation revealed that an unknown white male suspect, wearing dark clothing, entered the store with a large knife and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk was unable to open the register and the suspect fled, but not before stealing a pack of chewing gum. No one was injured. During the investigation, detectives learned of two similar robberies that occurred a short time later in the City of Dover.

With the assistance of the Dover Police Department, state police detectives identified Johnson as the suspect in the robbery and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On July 29, 2026, Johnson was arrested by the Dover Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force.

Johnson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $127,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree – Display What Appears to be a Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Theft under $1,500