The Delaware State Police continues to investigate a Millsboro area pedestrian crash that occurred Wednesday night after 77-year-old Bruce Peterson of Millsboro, Delaware, died on October 26, 2023, from injuries sustained in the crash.

On October 25, 2023, at approximately 9:23 p.m., a pedestrian was walking westbound along the shoulder of Long Neck Road eastbound, east of School Lane Road in Millsboro. At the same time, a black 2014 Chrysler 300 and a white 2015 Ford Escort were traveling eastbound on Long Neck Road approaching the pedestrian. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian, who was not carrying a light or wearing any reflective clothing, entered the eastbound travel lane in the Chrysler’s path. As a result, the Chrysler braked rapidly and was struck in the rear by the Ford, while the front of the Chrysler struck the pedestrian.

The pedestrian, identified as Bruce Peterson, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was admitted for life-threatening injuries. On October 26, 2023, he died from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Chrysler, a 37-year-old woman, and the driver of the Ford, a 23-year-old woman, both from Millsboro, Delaware, were not injured.

Long Neck Road eastbound was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was investigated and the roadway was cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Sergeant J. Burns by calling (302) 703-3269. 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.

Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a Wilmington area hit and run crash that occurred on July 2, 2023, after 43-year-old Lawrence Williams of Newark, Delaware, died on October 23, 2023, from injuries sustained in the crash.

The fleeing vehicle is an unknown white Nissan sedan (pictured below).

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this collision or has information about the fleeing vehicle to please contact Sergeant J. Jefferson by calling 302-365-8484. 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 investigated a threatening image reported by Cape Henlopen High School and Sussex Central High School.

On October 25, 2023, at approximately 2:44 p.m., the Cape Henlopen High School staff contacted the Delaware State Police regarding a concerning image of a gun and a threat to the school that is circulating on social media. In addition, Sussex Central High School staff contacted the Delaware State Police regarding the same concerning image. The investigation revealed the image has been circulating nationwide for the last several years. At this time, the Delaware State Police has no intelligence indicating that the threat was credible. Be mindful that the absence of intelligence does not mean the lack of a threat. Always call 911 to report suspicious activity.

Delaware State Police have identified 18-year-old Ethan Statham of Dover, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal motorcycle crash on Tuesday afternoon in Dover.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant 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 Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offender after he either failed to register or re-register at his current address. If anyone knows the location of this person, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police is providing a phone scam advisory. Delaware State Police has noticed an increase in scams statewide. The following will give you a synopsis of recent scams for awareness:

• A victim received a phone call from a blocked number. The perpetrator posed as a police officer from a local agency and advised the victim that they failed to show up for court. Additionally, the perpetrator identified a Superior Court judge by name and claimed that the judge would sign a warrant if the victim did not send money to “freeze the charges.” When the victim disconnected the call, the perpetrator called back using a spoofed number that appeared to be coming from the New Castle County Emergency Operations Center.

• A victim received a phone call from a perpetrator claiming to be with the Publisher’s Clearing House, stating that the victim won $7000 weekly and a white Mercedes Benz. The perpetrator asked the victim to purchase Visa gift cards and provide him with the gift card numbers so he could set up an account for the victim to withdraw their winnings. The victim lost approximately $ 3,500 as a result of this scam.

As a reminder, law enforcement agencies will never request payment for fines, traffic tickets, or bail. All these transactions are conducted by the respective court systems and never over the phone. Electronic payments are also never requested via phone for court matters.

“Spoofing” can also be used as a form of deception during these phone scams. Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

The following tips can help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam:

1. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you accidentally answer, hang up.
2. Avoid wire transfers or prepaid cards for payments because scammers often use these methods.
3. If a caller (live or recorded) suggests hitting a button to stop receiving calls from them, hang up. This can be a trick to engage you in conversation.
4. Never give out any personally identifiable information– for example, account numbers, Social Security Numbers, passwords or PINs, or your mother’s maiden name.
5. If a caller claims to be with a legitimate company, call back using the phone number on a statement you have from them or their verified, secure website.  This is particularly important if the caller asks you to verify personal information or make a payment.
6. If you are immediately pressured for information – be cautious. You are not obligated to answer any question asked of you.
7. Set your password for your voicemail.  Some voicemail services are set up to automatically allow access to your mailbox if you call in from your phone. If a scammer spoofs your number, they can access your voicemail if you have not set a password or PIN.
8. Use a call-blocking tool (talk to your phone company) or reputable app on your mobile device.  There are different options for different platforms. Do some research and select an option that aligns with your preferences and needs.
9. Set up reliable credit monitoring services.

You can learn more about phone scams here.

The following people are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed people are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Dwayne L. Waltman, of Milford, Delaware, for a 5^th offense DUI and other criminal and traffic-related charges on Monday in Greenwood.

On October 16, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a trooper on patrol in the area of Unity Lane and Deep Branch Road in Greenwood observed a white male driving a black Dodge pickup truck. During a computer check, it was discovered that the owner of the vehicle, Dwayne Waltman, had a revoked driver’s license. The trooper verified that the driver matched the description of the registered owner and proceeded to conduct a traffic stop. While the vehicle was coming to a stop on Shawnee Road, the driver threw drug paraphernalia out of the window. After contacting the driver, who was confirmed to be Waltman, the trooper observed signs of impairment. It was determined that Waltman was under the influence after conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. He was taken into custody without incident. A search of the pickup truck led to the discovery of additional drug paraphernalia.

Waltman was taken to Troop 3, where a computer check revealed he had four previous DUI convictions. He was charged with the following crimes:

• 5^th offense DUI (Felony)
• Tampering with Evidence (Felony)
• Criminal Solicitation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving while Revoked

Waltman was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on his own recognizance.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred yesterday afternoon in Dover that left one man dead.

On October 17, 2023, at approximately 5:16 p.m., a red 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling westbound on Hazlettville Road, east of Apple Grove School Road.  The Dodge attempted to make a left turn into the driveway of a private residence in front of a black 2022 Kawasaki EX4 motorcycle that was traveling eastbound on Hazlettville Road. The Dodge struck the front tire of the motorcycle in the eastbound lane, which caused the motorcyclist to be ejected. The motorcyclist came to rest in the westbound lane.

The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Dodge, a 57-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, was not injured.

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

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Sergeant 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 52-year-old Kelly M. Raab of Frankford, Delaware, for felony theft on Thursday morning.

On January 31, 2023, at approximately 3:14 p.m., the Delaware State Police Financial Crimes Unit met with local Girl Scout Troop representatives regarding a theft. Kelly Raab was identified as the former treasurer of the Girl Scout Troop 45. Following a ten-month investigation, troopers discovered that Raab issued and cashed fraudulent checks in addition to making unauthorized payment card transactions during her time as treasurer with the Girl Scouts from January 2018 to November 2022. The total loss amounted to more than $12,000.

On October 12, 2023, Rabb turned herself into Troop 4, where she was charged with the following crime:

• Theft over $1500 (Felony)

Raab was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on her own recognizance.