The Delaware State Police are actively investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred at Dunkin’ Donuts on Thursday evening.

On December 14, 2023, at approximately 4:58 p.m., troopers responded to an armed robbery at Dunkin’ Donuts, located at 1700 Marsh Road in north Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unidentified female suspect entered the store, approached the baristas, and brandished a knife. The suspect threatened to stab the victims if they did not give her money. The victims did not comply and escaped by running away. The suspect fled in an unknown direction. Troopers searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate her. No one was injured during this incident.

The suspect is described as a black female armed with a knife. As of now, surveillance video and images 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 Rob Strecker at (302) 365-8413. Additionally, information can be shared via a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by 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 are actively investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday afternoon in Milton.

On December 15, 2023, at approximately 1:35 p.m., a white Ford F-450 was traveling eastbound on Milton-Ellendale Highway, just west of Gravel Hill Road. For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the right side of the road and crashed into a large tree.

The driver, a 57-year-old man from Lincoln, Delaware, and the rear passenger, a 60-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, were transported to a nearby hospital, where they are being treated for serious injuries. The front passenger, a 47-year-old man from Bridgeville, Delaware, was also taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. The victim’s identity is being withheld until his family is notified. Milton-Ellendale Highway remained 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 Senior Corporal J. Smith by calling (302) 703-3267. 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 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 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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 56-year-old Derek Green of Seaford, Delaware for home improvement fraud Wednesday.

On December 13, 2023, a Bridgeville man contacted State Police to report a home improvement fraud. During the investigation, troopers learned that Derek Green, owner of Mason Construction LLC, had previously agreed to build a sunroom addition on his house and the construction was supposed to start in October 2023. The 69-year-old victim had paid Green just over $13,000 to do the work but it was not completed, the contract was not fulfilled, and the victim’s money was never reimbursed.

On December 13, 2023, Green turned himself in to Troop 5, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Home Improvement Fraud Over $1,500 and Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
• Theft By False Pretense Over $1,500 (Felony)

Green was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on his own recognizance.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have been defrauded in a similar manner to please contact Troop 4 Financial Crimes Unit by calling 302-856-5850. 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 identified 22-year-old Malik Benson, of Beaumont, Texas, as the victim of a homicide that occurred in Wilmington on December 9, 2023.

The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. Timmons by calling 302-365-8434 or emailing brian.timmons@delaware.gov. 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 that occurred Tuesday night at a Kirkwood Highway smoke shop.

On December 12, 2023, at approximately 7:55 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Apollo Smoke Shop located at 3613 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The investigation revealed an unknown white male suspect approached an employee in the store, pulled a handgun from his waistband, and demanded the employee empty the cash register. The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot eastbound towards Greenbank Road with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect is described as a white male armed with a handgun. 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. Patterson by calling (302) 365-8404. 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.

On April 28, 1923, the Delaware State Police was founded. Initially, there were four stations established in Delaware: Wilmington, New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown. A fifth station was added in 1925 to patrol the western side of Sussex County. In the early 1960s, the need grew for an additional troop to serve Northern New Castle County.  In 1962, the Delaware State Police expanded their footprint onto Kirkwood Highway. The state acquired a two-story brick residence on approximately 3 acres at 3808 Kirkwood Highway to serve as the troop. On May 18, 1963, what was then called Troop 2a opened its doors with three corporals and 12 troopers assigned under Sergeant William J. Warren Jr.  The first commander of Troop 2a was Captain Charles R. Skinner. In 1969, Delaware State Police adopted a new process of numbering troops and renamed the troop as Troop 6.

In 1970, the present-day property adjacent to the New Castle County Workhouse was acquired to build a new facility to support 20th-century law enforcement. The 8,000-square-foot building had two levels and cost approximately $500,000.00. The DSP opened the new facility with an indoor firing range in the basement for troopers to practice with issued firearms. Troop 6, “Prices Corner,” was completed on February 5, 1971. When the new troop opened, it became home to its patrol troopers, detectives, and youth aid officers. Later the same year, Governor Peterson announced dispatchers from the DSP, New Castle County Police, and Wilmington Police had agreed to work together to bring better service to the rapidly growing area. The vision was to provide space in Troop 6 for the dispatchers. By 1973, the DSP converted the indoor firing range to house the Regional Communications Center (RECOM). In 1977, criminal investigation operations were consolidated to Troop 2 “State Road,” and Troop 2 patrol troopers were transferred to Troop 6. This era was significant for Troop 6 and exponentially increased the Troop 6 patrol boundaries. Troop 6 became responsible for patrolling most of New Castle County, north of the C&D Canal.

In the 1980s, approximately 80 troopers were assigned to Troop 6 to patrol the area. To manage the ever-growing calls for service, patrol resources were split between the east and west sides of Interstate 95. In 1982, RECOM personnel were relocated to New Castle County Police Headquarters, and the partnership continues today. With the vacancy of the dispatcher force, the newly established Collision Reconstruction Unit (formerly FAIR Team) filled the space. As divisional needs changed, the Collision Reconstruction Unit was moved, and the space was eventually used as a gym to assist troopers in maintaining health and wellness needs. The 1980s and 1990s saw a significant increase in drug and money seizures on Interstate 95 for Troop 6.  As retail theft increased in the 2010s, a Retail Theft Unit was formed, including four patrol troopers who reported directly to the criminal lieutenant.

The planning phase for replacing Troop 6 began as the building became outdated and insufficient for 21st-century policing. The building that has been a staple of the Kirkwood Highway corridor for over 50 years closed on May 31, 2023. A closing ceremony was held with Colonel Melissa A. Zebley lowering the American Flag and Captain Jeremiah J. Lloyd lowering the Delaware flag for the final time.

“The Troop 6 (1971) building no longer stands,” said Ret. Major Kevin McDerby, who served as a patrol trooper, shift supervisor, and commander at Troop 6.  “What will always survive and live on are the memories and the legacy created by those who had the honor and privilege of serving at Troop 6.”

For the first time in the history of DSP, a troop was temporarily closed for demolition and reconstruction of a new facility in the exact location. Technology in our patrol cars allows our troopers to maintain a presence in the Troop 6 area while leveraging Troop 2 (Newark) and our local law enforcement partners for administrative and prisoner needs. The Delaware State Police is excited to bring a new facility equipped with technology and resources to serve our communities. The new facility is tentatively scheduled to open in Spring 2025.

“Over the history of the Troop, many great leaders have commanded Troop 6, and it is humbling to be provided this opportunity,” said Captain Jeremiah J. Lloyd, Commander of Troop 6. “It is an honor to serve with the men and women of Troop 6 and to have Colonel Zebley’s trust to help design and open a facility that will serve Delawareans and its visitors for the next several decades.”

(Click to enlarge the above and below images)

Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Ian McIntyre, of Ocean View, Delaware, for a felony DUI and drug-related charges early Friday morning in Rehoboth Beach.

On December 8, 2023, at approximately 1:02 a.m., a trooper on patrol observed a white Chevrolet Express van parked for an extended period at a gas pump at Wawa, located at 30155 Veterans Way. The trooper stopped to check on the driver of the van who appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat with the van running. After making contact with the driver, identified as Ian McIntyre, the trooper observed signs of impairment during their interaction and conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. While tests were given, troopers observed a straw with a white powdery substance in plain view on the driver’s floorboard. After tests were completed, McIntyre was taken into custody for DUI. A search of McIntyre’s person and the van led to the discovery of 139 bags containing approximately .973 grams of heroin, a small plastic bag containing approximately 1.36 grams of Methamphetamine, a Psilocybin mushroom bar weighing approximately 8.49 grams, and various drug paraphernalia.

McIntyre was taken to Troop 7, where a computer check showed that he had been convicted of DUI on two different occasions. He was charged with the following crimes:

• DUI 3rd Offense (Felony)
• Manufacture/Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possess/Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance (2 counts)
• Possession of Drug paraphernalia (3 counts)

McIntyre was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $11,000 secured bond.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide in Wilmington after one man was found dead in a vehicle Saturday night.

On December 9, 2023, at approximately 7:17 p.m., troopers responded to Eagle Tobacco Shop located at 3505 Miller Road in Wilmington, for a report of a shooting. When police arrived, there were indications of a shooting. However, no victims were located.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was in his vehicle and parked in the parking lot of Eagle Tobacco Shop. A dark-colored SUV entered and parked in the parking lot. An occupant of the dark-colored SUV fired several rounds at the victim, and then fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim then drove and to P.S. Dupont Middle School, where he crashed through a fence and came to rest on the school property. When police located the victim, they noticed he was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim, a 22-year-old man from Texas, died at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. Timmons by calling 302-365-8434 or emailing brian.timmons@delaware.gov. 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.