Delaware State Police are currently conducting a criminal investigation on Reeves Crossing Road, in Felton. As a result, there is an increased police presence in the area. Reeves Crossing Road between Route 13 and Little Mastens Corner Road is closed until further notice. This investigation is in the early stages and police are advising to avoid the area. Additional information will be released once it becomes available.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 031623  1738

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 29-year-old Preyana White of Newark, Delaware for robbery and other offenses after an incident that occurred at the Christiana Mall yesterday.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 12:14 p.m., troopers responded to Nordstrom at the Christiana Mall in Newark regarding a robbery that had just occurred in the store. Troopers learned that a woman, later identified as Preyana White, had attempted to purchase several items but her card was declined at the cash register. When the 26-year-old cashier told White that her card had been declined, White approached her and threatened to pepper spray her if she did not hand over the merchandise. The cashier complied and White walked out of the store without paying for the items. The cashier was not injured or sprayed.

A trooper on patrol located White walking on Ramp G just outside of the mall a short time later. The trooper ordered White to stop but she began running away. The trooper chased White and was able to take her to the ground where she continued to physically resist arrest. White was eventually taken into custody and the stolen merchandise was recovered.

White, who initially provided a false name to police, was taken to Troop 6 and charged with the following crimes:

• Robbery Second Degree (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Possession of Shoplifter’s Tools (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest With Force (Felony)
• Shoplifting
• Criminal Impersonation

White was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $44,000 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031623  1327

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The Delaware State Police is providing a Scam Alert Advisory. This is a general alert that applies to the entire State of Delaware.

The Delaware State Police has been investigating incidents in which victims receive phone calls from subjects posing as troopers and are advised they are wanted and/or owe bail money.  Many of the victims of these scams have been individuals listed on the Delaware sex offender registry.

As a reminder, the Delaware State Police 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 victim to a scam:

1. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you accidentally do so by accident, hang up.
2. 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.
3. Never give out any personally identifiable information– for example, account numbers, Social Security Number, passwords or PINs, or your mother’s maiden name.
4. If a caller claims to be with a legitimate company, call back using the phone number on a statement you have from them, or on their verified, secure website.  This is particularly important if the caller asks you to verify personal information or make a payment.
5. If you are immediately pressured for information – be cautious. You are not obligated to answer any question asked of you.
6. Set your own password for your voicemail.  Some voicemail services are set up to automatically allow access to your mailbox if you call in from your own phone. If a scammer spoofs your number, they can access your voicemail if you have not set a password or PIN requirement in place.
7. 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 choose the one that makes the most sense for you.

You can learn more about phone scams here.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 031623 1217

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Yesterday the Delaware State Police arrested a 16-year-old student at Sussex Central High School in Georgetown after he was found to be in possession of a handgun on school property.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the school resource officer at Sussex Central High School was notified by staff that a student in the building had a firearm in his possession. The trooper contacted the student and removed him from his classroom. A search of the teen’s backpack led to the discovery of an unloaded handgun with accompanying ammunition. The gun was confiscated and the 16-year-old was taken into custody without incident. No students or staff were harmed and the school day proceeded as normal.

The teen was taken to Troop 4 and charged with Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School Zone (Felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on $2,500 unsecured bond. He was also issued a no contact order with the Indian River School District.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031623  1215

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Colonel Melissa Zebley, the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, announces the graduation ceremonies for the 99th Delaware State Police and 95th Municipal Recruit Class. The graduation ceremony was held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9th, 2023, at Dover High School. The ceremonies recognized and commemorated the successful completion of the Delaware State Police Training Academy and consisted of 13 Delaware State Troopers and 6 Municipal Officers representing the Bethany Beach Police Department, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control- Division of Parks and Recreation, University of Delaware Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and Smyrna Police Department.

 

 

Dignitaries who addressed the class:

 

Governor John Carney

Attorney General Kathy Jennings

Secretary Nathaniel McQueen Jr.

Colonel Melissa Zebley

 

Class Speaker:

 

Officer Gregory Contorno, Bethany Beach Police Department

 

Class Awards:

 

Trooper Jai’Rae Hammond (DSP) – Physical Fitness Award

Awarded to the Recruit that demonstrated outstanding overall excellence in Physical Fitness during training

 

Trooper Mitchell Leslie (DSP) – Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Awarded to the Delaware State Police Recruit that demonstrated the highest proficiency in marksmanship and dedication to the art of shooting

 

Officer Samuel Jester (UDPD) – Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Awarded to the Municipal Recruit that demonstrated the highest proficiency in marksmanship and dedication to the art of shooting

 

Officer Lori Ferguson (DNREC P&R) – DSP Law Enforcement Core Values Award

Awarded to the Recruit that most exemplified the spirit of the Academy’s Core Values of Honor, Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Attitude, Discipline, and Service

 

Trooper Colby Collins (DSP) – Secretary of Safety & Homeland Security Award

Awarded to the Recruit whose abilities & actions demonstrated exemplary commitment towards teamwork & service

 

Officer Patrick Henry (DNREC P&R) – Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police Award

Awarded to the Municipal Recruit that demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership while attending the academy

 

Trooper Coleena Markovich (DSP) – Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award

Awarded to the Delaware State Police Recruit that demonstrated outstanding and overall leadership while attending the academy

 

 

99th DSP and 95th Municipal Class

 

DSP

Trooper Colby Collins

Trooper Alicia Evans

Trooper Jai’Rae Hammond

Trooper Ryan Jones

Trooper Mitchell Leslie

Trooper Markie Lewis

Trooper Coleena Markovich

Trooper Rene McKinnon

Trooper Brandon Ruiz

Trooper Michael Rummel

Trooper Jose Santos

Trooper Joseph Shanahan

Trooper Diana Torres

 

MUNICIPAL

Officer Gregory Contorno – Bethany Beach PD

Officer Lori Ferguson – DNREC P&R

Officer Patrick Henry – DNREC P&R

Officer Samuel Jester – UDPD

Officer Angel Padillo – Middletown PD

Officer Joseph Wunsch – Smyrna PD

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 031523 1815

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The Delaware State Police has identified Denigres Domingo-Domingo, 22, of Marydel Maryland as the man who died in a fatal, which occurred outside of Hartly on March 10, 2023.

State Police Investigating Fatal Single-Car Collision – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

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 W. Booth by calling 302-698-8451. 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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 031523 1025

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The Delaware State Police have identified the man who died in a hit-and-run collision that occurred in Wilmington on March 12, 2023, as Kevin C. Kelley, 79, of Wilmington, Delaware.

State Police Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

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 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.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031323  1033

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Shyheim Drayton-Upshur of Seaford, Delaware on felony gun charges following a traffic stop that occurred in Seaford early this morning.

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 1:05 a.m., a trooper on patrol saw a gray Nissan Altima traveling eastbound on Concord Road in the area of Bethel Concord Road. The trooper observed as the driver of the Altima crossed the double-yellow line and illegally passed the car in front of it. The trooper stopped the Nissan and made contact with the occupants, which included front-seat passenger Shyheim Drayton-Upshur. The trooper smelled marijuana coming from inside of the car, and all occupants were asked to exit the vehicle so a probable cause search could be conducted. During the search, troopers found a loaded handgun that was concealed under the front-passenger seat. Drayton-Upshur was subsequently taken into custody at the scene without incident. A computer check of Drayton-Upshur showed that he is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition.

Drayton-Upshur was taken to Troop 5 and charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)

Drayton-Upshur was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $90,000 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031223  1753

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 38-year-old Dustin Ellsworth of Smyrna, Delaware for felony DUI following a traffic stop that occurred in Smyrna this morning.

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 8:15 a.m., a trooper on patrol observed a blue Mazda 3 traveling at a high rate of speed on southbound Dupont Parkway south of Pine Tree Road. The trooper stopped the sedan and contacted the driver and only occupant, identified as Dustin Ellsworth. Ellsworth displayed signs of impairment, and he was subsequently taken into custody for DUI without incident. Computer checks showed that Ellsworth has four prior convictions for DUI.

Ellsworth was taken to Troop 9 and charged with 5^th Offense DUI (felony) and speeding. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released after posting $5,050 secured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031223  1734

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 33-year-old Mikkail Stephens of Georgetown, Delaware on drug dealing and gun charges following a traffic stop that occurred in Lewes early this morning.

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 1:17 a.m., a trooper on patrol observed a silver 2003 Cadillac DeVille traveling westbound on Lewes Georgetown Highway in the area of Minos Conaway Road. The DeVille began swerving on the road and crossed over its lane of travel. The trooper stopped the sedan and contacted the driver, identified as Mikkail Stephens. Stephens displayed signs of impairment, and he was subsequently taken into custody for DUI. An inventory search of the car led to the discovery of a concealed handgun, approximately 260.76 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and over $700 in suspected drug dealing proceeds. A computer check showed that the handgun had been reported as stolen by Delaware State Police Troop 3 in October 2020.

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

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
• Driving Under the Influence
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Failure to Drive in Designated Lane

Stephens was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $54,502 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 031223  1717

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