The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Thursday evening at a Wilmington area Shell gas station.

On January 25, 2024, at approximately 4:44 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a robbery at the Shell located at 3800 Kennett Pike in Wilmington. The investigation revealed an unknown male suspect approached an employee in the gas station with his hand concealed under his jacket. The suspect demanded vape/tobacco products and threatened to shoot the employee with an alleged concealed gun. The employee complied and the suspect fled on foot in a northwest direction with multiple vape products. Troopers located the stolen vape products during a K9 track, however, were unable to locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male wearing dark clothing and a mask. Surveillance video and images are not yet available.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit is still investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Armstrong by calling (302) 365-8440. 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 32-year-old Alonzo Coker of Felton, Delaware, for felony gun charges following a traffic stop in Milton on Tuesday morning.

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 7:10 a.m., a trooper patrolling the area of Coastal Highway and Eagle Crest Road in Milton observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed. The trooper initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Alonzo Coker. A computer inquiry of Coker revealed his driver’s license was revoked. When the trooper contacted Coker again, he observed a firearm concealed under items on the floorboard. A computer check confirmed that Coker was a person prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident.

Coker was transported to Troop 7, where he was charged with the below offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $25,101 cash bond.

• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Driving with a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License
• Speeding

The Delaware State Police arrested a 36-year-old Dover, Delaware man for DUI and related charges following a fatal pedestrian crash investigation that occurred yesterday evening in Townsend that left one man dead. Future charges are pending as the incident continues to be investigated.

On January 24, 2024, at approximately 5:19 p.m., a 2023 Kia Soul was traveling on US Route 13 (Dupont Parkway) northbound, north of Blackbird Landing Road in Townsend. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Kia was reported to have been traveling in an erratic manner leading up to the impact with a 40-year-old pedestrian. It remains under investigation if the pedestrian was in the right lane or shoulder of US Route 13 northbound at the time of the crash. The pedestrian was wearing bright reflective-colored clothing for the dark and unlit roadway conditions. After the crash, the Kia came to a stop on the right shoulder of US Route 13 and became engulfed in flames.

The pedestrian, a man from Townsend, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Kia was not injured and appeared to be under the influence of a drug. A DUI investigation ensued and impairment was suspected to be a factor. The driver was taken to Troop 9, where he was charged with Driving Under the Influence of a Drug, Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance, Driving While Suspended, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The passengers of the Kia, a 23-year-old woman and a 4-year-old child, both from Dover, Delaware, were taken to an area hospital by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues investigating this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Corporal P. McAndrew by calling (302) 365-8486. 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 are investigating an armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver that occurred on Tuesday evening in Dover.

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 7:46 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery that occurred on the 2000 block of General’s Way in Dover. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown male suspect approached the victim while she was making a delivery at the residence. The masked suspect displayed a firearm demanding money from her. The victim complied, and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Responding troopers searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him. The suspect is described as an armed unknown male wearing a mask, red sweatshirt and dark pants. At this time, surveillance video and images of the suspect are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective T. Ford by calling 302-698-8569. 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 have identified 78-year-old Larry Cox of Smyrna, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning in Milford.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Sgt. A. Mitchell by calling (302) 698-8518. 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 are investigating a robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred on Tuesday night in the parking lot of a Food Lion in Claymont.

On January 16, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a robbery at the Food Lion located at 3609 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont. The preliminary investigation revealed two Food Lion employees attempted to stop an unknown black female suspect from shoplifting a cart full of merchandise in the parking lot of the grocery store. As the employees grabbed the shopping cart, the suspect stepped towards them while pointing a knife and stated she was taking the property. The employees stepped away from the suspect, and the suspect fled with the merchandise in a light-colored sedan westbound on Darley Road.

The suspect is described as a black female wearing dark-colored clothing and armed with a knife. As of now, surveillance video and images of the suspect and suspect vehicle are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit is diligently pursuing this case. Investigators urge anyone with information about this case to contact Detective J. Dempsey by calling (302) 365-8472. 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 are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning in Milford that left one man dead.

On January 18, 2024, at approximately 6:35 a.m., a 2015 Chrysler 200 was traveling southbound on Bay Road in the left lane south of Exit 83 in front of a 2016 Acura TL. For reasons still under investigation, the front of Acura struck the rear of the Chrysler. Following the collision, the Chrysler pulled to the median and the Acura pulled to the southbound shoulder. The driver of the Acura exited the car and began crossing the southbound lanes of travel in the path of travel of a 2013 Toyota Sienna, which was traveling southbound in the left lane. The Toyota struck the driver of the Acura, who came to rest in the median. After striking the driver of the Acura, the Toyota began to swerve between both southbound lanes and in doing so, struck a 2016 Ford Focus that was traveling southbound on Bay Road.

The driver of the Acura, a 78-year-old man from Smyrna, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 28-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, and its occupants, a 25-year-old woman from Camden, Delaware and a 46-year-old woman from Newark, Delaware, were transported to an area hospital where they were treated and released.

The driver of the Toyota, a 66-year-old woman from, Laurel, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital where she was treated and released. An occupant in the Toyota, a 15-year-old girl, was not injured.

The driver of the Ford, a 43-year-old man from Woodside was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Sgt. A. Mitchell by calling (302) 698-8518. 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.

Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, proudly announces the promotion of Captain Christy Ballinger to the esteemed rank of Major on January 9th, 2024.  Assuming the role of Administrative Officer for the division, Major Ballinger brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and exemplary leadership cultivated over her illustrious two-decade career within the Delaware State Police.

Major Ballinger embarked on her journey with the DSP on July 26, 2002, as a recruit in the 73rd DSP Academy Class. Upon completing her academy training, she was assigned to Troop 1 and Troop 2 for field training. In 2003, she was assigned to Troop 5 patrol. After serving in a uniformed patrol capacity for nearly 8 years, she transitioned to Troop 3 Polygraph in the Criminal Investigations Unit in 2010. In September 2012, she was promoted to Sergeant and assumed the role of patrol shift supervisor at Troop 4 until November 2014.

Over the course of her distinguished career, Major Ballinger has assumed various roles, exemplifying her adaptability and commitment to the Delaware State Police. Serving as a Sergeant in Human Resources-Polygraph from November 2014 to April 2018, Traffic Lieutenant at Troop 7 from April 2018 to May 2019, and Criminal Lieutenant at Troop 7 from May 2019 to October 2021, Major Ballinger has consistently showcased her exceptional leadership skills. Her capacity to oversee a substantial number of patrol troopers, effectively manage troop-level discipline, and actively engage with the community through various events and partnerships with neighboring agencies highlights her invaluable contributions to the Delaware State Police

In October 2021, she was promoted to the rank of Captain and was subsequently assigned to Troop 5. Serving as Troop Commander of Troop 4 from December 2022 to January 2024, Major Ballinger exhibited outstanding leadership skills while overseeing the activities of patrol troopers and criminal investigators. Her impact extended to key initiatives such as the Troop 4 Building Project, where she played a pivotal role. In addition to her operational responsibilities, Major Ballinger took on the crucial role of Chairperson for the Diversity Council, demonstrating a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within the Delaware State Police. Her active involvement in the Delaware State Police 100th Anniversary Events Committee further underscored her commitment, contributing significantly to the success of commemorative events during this milestone celebration.

Major Ballinger’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arcadia University. She has also undergone specialized training in polygraph examination from the Maryland Institute of Criminal Justice and is a member of the American Polygraph Association.

Her leadership acumen is highlighted by her graduation from the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in 2023 and her membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police since 2022.

In her current role as the Administrative Officer for the Delaware State Police, Major Christy Ballinger is poised to continue her contributions to the division and the community. We congratulate Major Ballinger and her family on her well-deserved promotion.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday night in a neighborhood in Ellendale.

On January 14, 2024, at approximately 10:18 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Candy Lane for a report of shots fired. When troopers arrived, they discovered that the home had been struck several times and recovered numerous shell casings at the scene.

There were two adults in the home at the time of the shooting. No one was injured, and the motive behind the incident remains unclear. A suspect description is unknown at this time.

Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this case to contact Detective W. Saylor by calling 302-752-3897. 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 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.