The Delaware State Police wants to share the importance of securing your vehicles to combat the upward crime trend of motor vehicle thefts. Avoid taking a false security mindset, because a few seconds can cost you hours of stress and inconvenience, your vehicle, and more. Many of these complaints result from the owner leaving their vehicle unattended while running. These crimes are avoidable by simply taking the extra time to ensure that your vehicles are turned off, the key is removed, and the vehicle is locked while parked at work, gas stations, air pumps, shopping centers, and your residence.

The Delaware State Police announces the retirement of Major Sean E. Moriarty, Ed.D. during his 30^th year of faithful and dedicated service to the citizens and visitors of Delaware. Major Moriarty was hired on November 1, 1994, and successfully completed the 63^rd Delaware State Police Academy Recruit Class. Before joining the Delaware State Police, he worked as a police officer and dispatcher in Wayland, Massachusetts.

In July 1995, Major Moriarty was assigned to Troop-4 Patrol in Georgetown for field training and then promoted to Trooper First Class in November 1996. In October 1997, he was transferred to Criminal Investigations as a detective in the Major Crimes Unit at Troop-4, promoted to Corporal in November 1998, and in January 1999, he became a certified polygraph examiner. In August 2001, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned as a patrol shift commander at Troop-4. In September 2003, he returned to Criminal Investigations as the statewide Polygraph Unit Supervisor.

In August 2005, Major Moriarty was assigned as the Assistant Director of the Planning and Research Section at DSP Headquarters and subsequently promoted to Lieutenant. In January 2007, he was assigned to the restructured State Bureau of Identification as Assistant Director: Regulatory Section Commander and was instrumental in developing the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit. In May 2009, he was transferred to Troop-7 in Lewes as the Deputy Troop Commander over Criminal Investigations.

In November 2009, Major Moriarty was promoted to Captain and transferred to Headquarters as the Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility, which included internal affairs, inspections, and accreditation. In September 2010, he returned to Sussex County and served as Troop Commander of Troop-4. Five years later, in November 2015, he was assigned to the DSP Training Academy as the Director of Training and Administrator for the Delaware Council on Police Training (COPT). In this capacity, he oversaw all aspects of recruit, in-service, firearms, canine, and elective training. This included revising the entire training curriculum and enhancing instructor development.

In April 2017, Moriarty was promoted to Major and assigned to the Executive Staff as the Southern Operations Officer. His duties included oversight of Delaware State Police Operations for Troop-3 (Camden), Troop-4 (Georgetown), Troop-5 (Bridgeville), and Troop-7 (Lewes). He was also responsible for all of the Delaware State Police Regional Communication Centers (911 dispatch centers) statewide. In July 2020, he was assigned as the Administrative Officer. In that role, he had direct oversight, participation, and responsibility for the following statewide sections: Human Resources, Training, Budget and Fiscal Control, Purchasing and Supply, Transportation, Building Construction and Maintenance, Victim Services, Domestic Violence Coordination, and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

Throughout his career, Major Moriarty focused significant time and effort on education, policy development, community engagement, and police professionalization. Some highlights include:

• In 2006, Major Moriarty identified a need for further professional development in law enforcement. After researching and working with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), he and Colonel Zebley successfully implemented the Delaware State Police Leadership Development Program. They were the first two certified instructors, and the Delaware State Police was the first state police agency in the country to adopt the program. Since its inception, 25 classes and over 600 participants from five states have completed the program.

• In 2018, Major Moriarty participated and led a team to re-write and revise the Use of Force/Response to Resistance policies and procedures and to provide subsequent training for the entire Division. This led to a certificate of recognition for the 2018 Governor’s Team Excellence Award. He then worked on revising numerous other policies and worked collaboratively with the Delaware Police Chief’s Council Policy Committee, which created Response to Resistance, Pursuits, and Accountability model policies.

• In 2021, Major Moriarty established a partnership and served as an interagency team leader with the Delaware Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to mutually address behavioral health and substance abuse cases in Delaware by partnering troopers with clinicians, peers, and treatment providers at every troop. This included the development of the Delaware Police Diversion Program (PDP), the first of its nature for a state police agency in the United States and the recipient of the Delaware Gear-3 Top Leadership Team Award for Innovation and Leadership in 2022. Since 2021, troopers have referred 4,501 individuals and 38% have accepted treatment.

Major Moriarty holds a Doctorate in Innovation and Leadership, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He is a 2016 graduate of the 263rd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) National Academy, and he has completed numerous professional development courses. He was a member of the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing in Delaware and the Delaware Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force. He served as a Dover Air Force Base Honorary Commander for four years and presently serves as a United States Air Force Air Mobility Command Civic Leader.

Major Moriarty is a senior certified Master Instructor with the Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (formerly COPT), Force Science Certified Force Science Analyst, Society of Human Resources Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and a principal instructor for the Delaware State Police Leadership Development Program. In addition to teaching a myriad of courses at the Delaware State Police Academy, he was an adjunct instructor for Delaware Technical Community College, and he has instructed for Wilmington University as an adjunct professor for 22 years. He has published articles in periodicals including The Police Chief and The Delaware Trooper. He is also the author of the book Leadership Development for Law Enforcement: A Model for Program Implementation.

“Major Moriarty has been an inspiration and true friend to the women and men of the DSP,” said Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “His distinguished career has left an indelible mark on the DSP and the citizens of Delaware. He has overseen and been responsible for many mission-critical areas during his tenure on the Executive Staff, including the Delaware State Police Communications Section and all sworn and civilian personnel in Sussex and Kent Counties. Major Moriarty was also responsible for Human Resources, the DSP Training Academy, fiscal control, victim services, domestic violence coordination, the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and various other diverse responsibilities. Having had a strong desire to serve others since his childhood, Major Moriarty fulfilled this aspiration by serving as a Delaware State Trooper and community educator. I have no doubt that he will continue to excel in his future endeavors. He will be deeply missed by his DSP family. However, his legacy will continue to live on. We wish Major Moriarty and his family all the best in their next chapter.”

The Delaware State Police have identified 65-year-old Darlene Denson-Simmons of Bear, Delaware, as the woman who died in a fatal crash that occurred in Bear on November 19, 2023.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues investigating this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal J. Forester by calling (302) 365-8485. 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 homicide that occurred in Milton on Monday evening after a woman was found deceased inside her residence.

On November 20, 2023, at approximately 11:18 p.m., troopers responded to 28000 block of West Springside Drive in Milton for a report of a shooting. When troopers arrived at the residence, they located a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim, a 57-year-old woman from Milton, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified. Due to the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, the Homicide Unit has assumed the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim’s residence was struck by multiple rounds of gunfire by an unknown suspect. One of the rounds traveled into the residence, struck the victim, and killed her. There is no suspect information available at this time.

The Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Sgt. S. Yeich by calling 302-741-2703. 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 are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday morning in Dover.

On November 19, 2023, at approximately 2:58 a.m., troopers responded to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, for a report of a 44-year-old Dover man being treated for gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, troopers learned the victim was reportedly asleep in his camper in the rear of a residence on the 200 block of North Old Mill Road in Dover when an unknown suspect entered the camper and shot him. The victim was struck by multiple rounds of gunfire to his upper body. After the suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction, the victim sought help from a neighbor. There is no additional information regarding the suspect at this time.

Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit is still investigating this shooting. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this case to contact Detective P. Campbell by calling 302-698-8504. 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 multi-car fatal crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in Bear that left one woman dead.

On November 19, 2023, at approximately 4:17 p.m., a white 2017 Toyota RAV-4 and a black 2011 Nissan Altima were traveling in the middle lane of westbound Pulaski Highway (US 40) approaching the intersection of Bear Christiana Road (DE Route 7). At the same time, a red 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling in the inner left turn lane of Pulaski Highway eastbound approaching Bear Christiana Road. The Chevrolet failed to stop at a red turn signal and proceeded to turn left into the path of the Toyota, which had entered the intersection on a solid green light. As a result, the Chevrolet collided with the Toyota in the intersection. The Nissan, which was traveling directly behind the Toyota, then collided with the Toyota and Chevrolet as they were disengaging from the initial collision.

The front passenger of the Toyota, a 65-year-old woman from Bear, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where she died. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified. The driver of the Toyota, a 60-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he was admitted for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Chevrolet, a 61-year-old man from New Castle, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he was admitted for serious injuries.

The driver of the Nissan, a 42-year-old woman, and its occupants, a 10-year-old girl, and two 8-year-old girls, all from Bear, Delaware, were not injured.

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 Master Corporal J. Forester by calling (302) 365-8485. 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 arrested 21-year-old Emma Brewington, of Millsboro, Delaware, for sending explicit photographs to a student.

On October 16, 2023, Delaware State Police Troop 4, Criminal Investigations Unit, received a report from Laurel High School alleging that Emma Brewington, a Laurel High School paraprofessional, had sent explicit photographs to a 16-year-old student. During the month-long investigation, detectives learned, that Brewington and the student had been communicating electronically since September. The messages and photographs continued until the student’s parent learned of the relationship and reported it to the school. During the investigation, detectives found explicit photos sent by Brewington on the student’s phone.

On November 14, 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Brewington. On November 16, 2023, she turned herself in at Troop 4 and was charged with the following crime:

• Obscenity Material Provided to a Person Under the Age of 18 (Felony)

Brewington was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 4 and released on her own recognizance.

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 are investigating a robbery that occurred Wednesday night in the parking lot of a North Wilmington beauty salon.

On November 15, 2023, at approximately 9:38 p.m., an unknown white male suspect approached an employee taking the trash out in the parking lot of the Philly Salon located at 222 Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington. The suspect demanded all of the victim’s belongings while threatening to shoot her. After the victim did not comply, the suspect grabbed the victim’s necklace, which caused both of them to fall to the ground. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse and fled on foot in a northeast direction. Responding troopers canvassed the area for the suspect based on the description provided by the victim.

The 36-year-old victim was not injured. There is no surveillance footage available at this time.

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.