The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The following individuals are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The Delaware State Police hopes everyone will have the safest and hap-hap-happiest Christmas and holiday season this year. Before families kick off their fun, old-fashioned family adventure by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape, troopers are unwrapping a gift of safety tips with a sprinkle of wordplay. As we navigate through the twinkling lights and festive delights, let’s keep safety at the top of our wish list.
Ensuring that all these points are checked can prevent a family trip from being jeopardized. The “obvious” things can be easily overlooked – wouldn’t it be quite the bulbous blunder to meticulously check thousands of tiny twinkling lights, only to discover the extension cord was plugged in and the light switch was off?
And when it comes to safety, there’s always time to double-check. Even if you still have to brush your teeth, feed the hog, have some homework to do, and still have those bills to pay – make the time! This isn’t charity – it’s family.
From the Atlantic to the Pacific – travel safely and enjoy the holiday season!
Delaware State Police celebrates a century of service since being founded in 1923. Troop 9 is the newest troop to be added to the agency. The history of Troop 9 dates back to 1973, when then-Governor Russell Peterson dedicated the new troop. The building was designed to match the early American architecture of the other buildings in the historic town of Odessa. Troop 9 was responsible for providing services in New Castle County from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to Smyrna. Initially, Troop 9 housed 23 patrol units and members of the Auto Theft Unit. The location was chosen to provide easy access for visitors passing through and members of the growing Odessa area. The building was purposefully designed to provide a smooth and seamless transition from the well-traveled US Route 13 corridor, with the parking lot only 200 yards from the roadway. The Rt-13 corridor was the main route to popular vacation destinations located in the southern end of the State. Troop 9 became a familiar sight to those traveling to the beautiful Delaware beaches and coastal areas.
Much has changed in the Odessa area since 1973. There was rapid growth and development of the MOT area (Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend) during the late 1980s, which resulted in a concentrated effort to update and expand the functionality of Troop 9. This included moving the front entrance to provide a more convenient access point to the public, as well as restructuring the interior office space to provide room for the growing Special Investigations Unit.
During the early 1990s, the construction of the Roth Bridge and US Route 1 corridor provided a much more efficient route of travel to points south of Odessa, and the need for expanded police services became evident. Troop 9 staffing levels increased substantially to meet the needs along the Rt-1 corridor, as well as the dramatic increase in population in Southern New Castle County.
As Troop 9 entered the new millennium, its mission to enhance the quality of life for all Delaware citizens and visitors remained unchanged. In 2014, in response to the continual growth of Southern New Castle County and the North Dover area, the patrol area for Troop 9 was increased to provide law enforcement services in both New Castle and Kent Counties. This gave Troop 9 the distinction of having the largest geographical patrol area in the state. The Troop 9 patrol area now encompasses the Roth bridge to the North Dover area, and all points west and east of Rt-1.
Troop 9 has evolved over the last half-century to meet the needs of the community and changes to the state’s infrastructure. What has not changed is the dedication of the troopers assigned to Troop 9.
“I am honored to be the commander of Troop 9,” said Captain Mike Reader, who has served as a trooper for 30 years. “I am fortunate to have so many hardworking men and women willing to work around the clock to protect our citizens and visitors. The Troop 9 area encompasses a vast terrain, posing numerous challenges. Yet, the dedicated troopers at Troop 9 consistently and professionally rise to meet these demands, delivering excellent service to all.”
Delaware State Police have identified 58-year-old Edward Jones of Seaford, Delaware, as the man who died on December 19, 2023, from injuries sustained during a fatal crash in November.
The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (302) 703-3264. 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 is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Seaford last month.
On November 3, 2023, at approximately 3:02 p.m., a Chevrolet box truck was stopped southbound on Woodland Ferry Road for a stop sign at the intersection of Woodpecker Road. Simultaneously, a Ford F-150 was eastbound, approaching the intersection. Notably, Woodpecker Road is a throughway, and vehicles are not obligated to stop. For unknown reasons, the box truck failed to remain stopped at the stop sign, resulting in a collision with the left side of the F-150. The impact led to the F-150 rolling multiple times, ejecting the occupants from the vehicle.
The 22-year-old driver of the Chevrolet box truck, a Seaford resident, and his 37-year-old passenger from Millsboro were transported to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The Ford F-150’s 58-year-old driver and his 42-year-old passenger, both Seaford residents, were not wearing seat belts. They suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital. On December 19, 2023, the 58-year-old man died from injuries sustained in the crash. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
The intersection of Woodland Ferry Road and Woodpecker Road was temporarily closed for approximately 3 hours as investigators examined the scene and cleared the roadway.
The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling (302) 703-3264. 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.
Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Mark Morris from Dover, Delaware, and 29-year-old Aaliyah Coleman of Dover, Delaware, on Tuesday night for felony theft and other related charges.
On December 19, 2023, at approximately 10:15 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the area of Wood Duck Lane in Camden-Wyoming for suspicious individuals in a white Chevrolet Tahoe driving through the neighborhood and checking mailboxes. When troopers arrived, they searched the area for the Tahoe and found it on Hazletville Road. Troopers stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, identified as Mark Morris, the passenger, identified as Aaliyah Coleman, and a child. As troopers spoke with Morris and Coleman, they observed several mail envelopes and packages on the floorboard. Morris and Coleman were taken into custody without incident. A search of the Tahoe revealed more envelopes and packages with the names and addresses of victims who reside on Hazletville Road and in the community of Wild Quail Golf and Country Club. Morris and Coleman were taken back to Troop 3, where they were charged with multiple crimes.
Morris was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on his own recognizance.
Coleman was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on her own recognizance.
Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Shane Massey, of Georgetown, Delaware, on Tuesday night in Lewes for 5th offense DUI.
On December 19, 2023, at approximately 10:25 p.m., a trooper was dispatched to the intersection of Coastal Highway and Postal Lane in Lewes for a report of a driver who was asleep at the wheel and had missed several cycles of the traffic signal. The trooper arrived, saw a gray Jeep in the turn lane, and contacted the driver. After contacting the driver, identified as Shane Massey, the trooper observed signs of impairment during their interaction and conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After tests were completed, Massey was taken into custody for DUI and transported to Troop 7. A computer check revealed that he had been convicted of DUI on four prior occasions. He was charged with the following crimes:
Massey was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,100 cash bond.
Delaware State Police arrested 35-year-old Katie Dilworth of Seaford, Delaware, for drug charges Wednesday night.
On December 13, 2023, at approximately 9:35 p.m., the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force conducting patrols in Laurel saw a white Ford Explorer traveling southbound on Sussex Highway turn onto 4th Street without signaling. Detectives stopped the car on West 6th Street, contacted the driver, identified as Katie Dilworth, and two children in the Explorer. As the detectives spoke with Dilworth, they saw a clear plastic bag between her legs, and she tried to conceal it when she was asked to exit the car. The plastic bag contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine and a cut straw. Dilworth was taken into custody without incident. A search of her person and the Explorer revealed approximately 6.69 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 1.66 grams of suspected powder cocaine, and two Alprazolam pills.
Dilworth was taken to Troop 4 where she was charged with the following crimes:
Dilworth was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $21,550 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police was founded on April 28, 1923. The initial four stations were located in Wilmington, New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown. A fifth station was added in 1925 to patrol the western side of Sussex County. In May 1957, Delaware State Police began providing seasonal coverage to the east side of Sussex County with the opening of Troop 4A. The summer home for troopers was a small brick building on Delaware 1 located in the “forgotten mile,” the stretch between Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach. This coverage continued every summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day until the fall of 1970, when troopers found a permanent year-round assignment at the newly established Troop 7.
Despite the year-round staffing, additional troopers from throughout the state were reassigned to Troop 7 during the summer months and then returned to their permanent duty stations as the complaint load declined in September. Retired Captain Michael Cunningham recalls thirty troopers from various locations being reassigned during the summer of 1970 to assist with unrest occurring in Rehoboth Beach.
Troop 7 is historically known for its service to the Nation’s Summer Capital, but the women and men who serve there traverse an expansive 247 square miles that runs north to Kent County and westward, where it meets the Troop 4 boundary. By 1983, it was necessary to expand the patrol contingency to serve the growing population, prompting the move of patrol operations from Dewey to State Route 1 in Lewes. In 1985, the growing fatal accident investigation and reconstruction team for Sussex County became part of Troop 7. The FAIR team, now known as the Collision Reconstruction Unit, is responsible for investigating all crashes in Sussex County and provides support to local municipalities upon request.
As the population continued to grow on the east side of Sussex County, it was with great pride Delaware State Police welcomed motors back to their fleet under the command of Captain Gregory Nolt. In 2004, the addition of four motorcycles to the fleet allowed for quicker response time to traffic crashes and medical emergencies along State Route 1. The Motorcycle Unit also participates in dignitary transfers. The tradition of providing dignitary transfers is not only a practical function but also adds a ceremonial and symbolic aspect to the role of the Delaware State Police.
In late 2019, Delaware State Police Troop 7 moved to its current location in a state-of-the-art facility located on Mulberry Knoll Road in Lewes. Although Troop 7 was the last of the three troops established in Sussex County, it is rich in history and continues to serve both Delawareans and visitors from around the world.
“Many generations have walked the ever-changing halls of Troop 7,” said Captain Mary McGuire, Commander of Troop 7. “Each and every trooper is a beacon of honor, integrity, and courage. They uphold the highest ideals and have forged a legacy of trust that binds them as guardians to the citizens they proudly serve. Serving alongside the members of Troop 7 for the last three years has been a source of great pride, as their commitment to these values forms a resilient foundation, creating a profound sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.”
