Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred early this morning at a Wawa in Wilmington.

On August 15, 2023, at approximately 3:15 a.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Wawa located at 400 Wilson Road, Wilmington. The investigation revealed two male suspects entered the store and displayed firearms at employees while demanding money from the safe and cash registers. The victims complied, and the suspects fled the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident.

The suspects are described as young black males wearing dark-colored clothing. 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 R. Kirchenbauer by calling (302) 365-8428. 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 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.

The Delaware State Police continues to investigate a Newark area crash that occurred last month after 35-year-old Andrew Wambugu of Newark, Delaware, died Wednesday night from injuries sustained in the crash.

On July 2, 2023, at approximately 12:39 p.m., a 2022 Triumph Trident was traveling in the right lane of Route 1 northbound in the area of the off-ramp to I-95 southbound. Simultaneously, a 2018 Nissan Maxima traveling in the left lane of Route 1 northbound abruptly changed multiple lanes and entered the right lane in the Triumph’s path. The Triumph collided with the Nissan’s rear passenger side and the operator of the Triumph, identified as Wambugu, was ejected from the motorcycle. Wambugu was transported to an area hospital, where he was admitted for critical injuries. On August 9, 2023, he died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The operator of the Nissan, a 21-year-old man from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was not injured. On the date of the crash, he was cited for improper lane change, however, additional charges may be pending as the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident.

Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Sergeant J. Jefferson of Troop 2 CRU 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.

Yesterday, troopers arrested 27-year-old Rykiem Shrieves of Harrington, Delaware for burglarizing a Frederica residence in late July.

On July 27, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a 35-year-old man returned to his home on Jackson Street in Frederica and noticed that a safe had gone missing and his window air conditioner had been disturbed. Troopers responded to the scene and discovered evidence linking Rykiem Shrieves to the crime. On the afternoon of August 10, Shrieves was taken into custody after troopers stopped to help him with his disabled car on Coastal Highway in Lewes.

Shrieves was taken to Troop 7 and charged with the following crimes:

• Burglary Second Degree (Felony)
• Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)

Shrieves was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate the murder of 33-year-old Dioandre “Onnie” Gibbs of Lincoln, Delaware, which occurred in Frankford in May 2021.

On May 18, 2021, at approximately 3:35 p.m., the Frankford Police Department and troopers responded to Honolulu Road and Kauffman Lane for a shooting. Officers arrived and found a gray 2012 Volkswagen CC that had crashed into the front of a house on Honolulu Road. The driver, identified as Dioandre Gibbs, had been shot nearby and crashed his car as he attempted to drive away. Gibbs was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead.

This case remains an active investigation, and a $12,000 reward is being offered by Delaware Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest. You can also provide information by calling Detective B. McDerby at 302-741-2821, e-mailing Brian.McDerby@delaware.gov, or sending the Delaware State Police a private Facebook message. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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 three-year-old Kasai Bull of Dover, Delaware as the boy who died in a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred in Camden on August 8, 2023.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal J. Lane by calling 302-698-8457. 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 24-year-old Kristopher Battles of Bear, Delaware as the man who died in a fatal collision that occurred in Middletown on August 8, 2023.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Corporal D. Franck by calling 302-660-3783. 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 Community Outreach Unit’s annual program to assist elementary school-aged children in need with the necessities for school is back! Troopers are asking for help with donations to fill each child’s backpack with school supplies.

Operation Troopers Have Your BACKpack works with local communities and organizations to collect and donate school supplies for children in need. Donations can be taken to any Troop or Delaware State Police Federal Credit Union locations by anyone wishing to help. Each location will have a box for supplies to be dropped off. The donations will be collected now until August 21, 2023, and will be distributed at the start of the school year. The supplies needed for the students are:

Delaware State Police is thankful for the generosity from the public with this program in the past years. Please help us give the students these essential supplies for another successful school year!

In 1923, the basic infrastructure of the Delaware State Police was formulated. Troop 4, known at the time as “Station 4,” was a small wooden building located on Dupont Highway, north of Georgetown.

Between 1937 and 1938, two new state police facilities were constructed in Sussex County. The old wood frame building which had served as Station 4 was replaced with a brick building designed to accommodate the growing force and its fleet of patrol cars and motorcycles.

Due to an increase in the number of petty thefts occurring in the southern portion of the state and the increasing demand for night service, Station 4 in Georgetown began operating on a 24-hour basis in 1930. The “special night patrols” were successful in reducing the number of reported poultry and grain thefts occurring in southern Delaware. During this time, Station 4 was home to one sergeant and five privates.

In 1943, seven female civilian employees were hired for the first time to assist with clerical duties to help ease the staffing shortages resulting from World War II. These female employees proved invaluable to the operation of the department and provided the impetus for the establishment of the full-time civilian work force which now exists. Eight years later, on June 15, 1951, Miss Constance “Connie” Dick was hired as a secretary with Delaware State Police. Miss Connie remains a staple of Troop 4, and in June 2023 celebrated 72 years of dedicated service. Miss Connie has served under 30 troop commanders and her contributions are immeasurable.

In 1947, Colonel Herbert Barnes came up with the idea of a summer camp for Delaware youth. In March 1948, the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police leased a 12-acre parcel of land in Frankford and on June 14th, 1948, the first campers arrived at Camp Barnes. Celebrating 75 years of service in 2023, Camp Barnes provided 562 Delaware youth an opportunity to develop confidence, leadership, and positive relationships through teamwork.

On May 27, 1957, the Delaware State Police opened its first sub-station, designated Troop 4A, located on Delaware Route 1, north of Dewey Beach. This substation was initially manned during the summer to compensate for increased traffic and to receive complaints of criminal activity in the resort area. In 1969, Troop 4A was renamed Troop 7. In 1983 a new Troop 7 was opened and the criminal investigative function for Sussex County was consolidated at Troop 4 in Georgetown. Uniformed traffic patrols from Troop 4 were ended until the opening of the current Troop 4 in the 1990s.

Troop 4 is currently home to approximately 90 sworn personnel. Troop 4 serves the citizen of Sussex County through patrol operations and criminal investigations including but not limited to Major Crimes, Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, Evidence Detection, Youth Aid, School Resource Officers, and more.

“Troop 4 has the distinct privilege of serving the citizens of Delaware from New Castle to Sussex County,” says Captain Christy Ballinger, Commander of Troop 4. “From patrol operations to criminal investigations and Camp Barnes service, the women and men of Troop 4 are embodying the core values of this agency day in and day out. Their commitment to service is unmatched and it is with gratitude and pride, I serve as the Troop 4 Commander.”

(Click to enlarge the above and below images)