Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single motor vehicle collision that occurred in the Smyrna area early this morning.

On January 23, 2023, at approximately 12:17 a.m., a 2010 Toyota Prius was traveling northbound on South Dupont Boulevard (Route 13) approaching Smyrna Leipsic Road at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Toyota exited off the right shoulder of the roadway and struck a mailbox. The Toyota continued traveling north across the northbound lanes where it exited the roadway a second time off the left shoulder at the intersection of Smyrna Leipsic Road. The Toyota struck a sign on the concrete median separating the north and southbound lanes. The Toyota still traveling north crosses the northbound lanes again before exiting the roadway off the right shoulder a second time where the front of the vehicle simultaneously struck a brick pillar and a concrete post. After this collision, the Toyota continued in a northeasterly direction while rotating counterclockwise through the grass until its right rear impacted a large tree.

Post impact the vehicle caught fire in the engine area, and it quickly spread to the interior. The operator of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification of the victim is pending results from the Medical Examiner’s investigation.

Northbound Route 13 was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated, and the roadway was cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal 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, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 012323  1150

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The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal accident involving a bicyclist that occurred yesterday evening in Rehoboth Beach.

On January 22, 2023, at approximately 7:23 p.m., a white 2013 Nissan Altima was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway approaching the intersection at Rehoboth Avenue Extension. At the same time, a bicyclist was traveling eastbound from the southbound shoulder of Coastal Highway into the southbound lanes of the road (from the right side of the road to the left side). For unknown reasons, the bicyclist entered the Nissan’s lane and the front of the Altima struck the left side of the bicyclist, causing the victim to leave his bicycle and land in the median. The driver of the Nissan fled the scene, but he and his car were located by responding troopers very shortly afterwards on nearby Martin Street.

The driver of the Altima, a 40-year-old man from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was not injured. The bicyclist, a 54-year-old man from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Identification of the victim is pending notification to his family and relatives.

No other vehicles were involved in this collision. Possible charges against the Nissan driver are pending the results of the investigation. Coastal Highway was closed for approximately three hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling 302-703-3264. 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: 012323  1026

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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.

Click on each image to see more details

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 012023 1725

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The Delaware State Police have arrested three people on numerous felony gun and narcotics charges following a several-month-long drug dealing investigation.

On the morning of January 19, 2023, members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, and Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on the 10000 block of Rifle Range Road in Bridgeville. When troopers entered the home they saw Christopher Viruet running away from a bedroom. Viruet was taken into custody without incident in a second bedroom. Troopers also arrested Patricia Griffis and Jesus Torres inside of the house without incident.

A search of the home led to the discovery of the following:

• Approximately 4.095 grams of suspected heroin
• Approximately 57.11 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 10.41 grams of crack cocaine
• A loaded Glock handgun that had been altered to fire on fully automatic, reported as stolen in September 2021 by Federalsburg Police Department in Maryland
• Numerous rounds of ammunition
• Over $2,700 in suspected drug dealing proceeds

The residence was occupied by a 13-year-old boy and 10-year-old boy at the time. The two children were safely turned over to a relative.

Viruet, Griffis, and Torres were taken to Troop 4 and charged with the following crimes:

Christopher Viruet, 28, of Bridgeville, Delaware:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Destructive Weapon (Felony)
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Viruet was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $177,000 cash bond.

Patricia Griffis, 41, of Bridgeville, Delaware:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Griffis was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $49,500 cash bond.

Jesus Torres, 32, of Dover, Delaware:

• Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Torres was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $43,500 cash bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 011923  1513

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The Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s help with locating 33-year-old James Wheeler of Smyrna, Delaware. Wheeler currently has an active felony warrant out of Troop 3 for gun, burglary, and assault charges stemming from an incident that occurred yesterday evening in Magnolia.

Wheeler is described as a black male, approximately 5’08” tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has teardrop tattoos next to his right eye and script tattoos on his right arm. Wheeler’s current whereabouts are unknown but he frequents the Magnolia and Camden areas.

Due to the nature of the case and in consideration of the victim, no additional details will be released about yesterday’s incident.

Attempts to locate Wheeler have been unsuccessful. Troopers are asking anyone who may know of James Wheeler’s whereabouts to contact Trooper B. DeLeon by calling 302-698-8420. 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: 011923  1446

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The Delaware State Police have arrested 21-year-old Jair Fernandez-Hernandez of Frankford, Delaware on gun charges after troopers assisted EMS personnel with a medical event last week.

On January 9, 2023, at approximately 6:59 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 35000 block of Ash Lane in Frankford at the request of EMS personnel who were on-scene. When they arrived, troopers learned that EMS workers had placed Jair Fernandez-Hernandez in an ambulance after he reported that he was not feeling well. EMS personnel then discovered that Fernandez-Hernandez had a handgun in his pocket. Troopers were able to disarm Fernandez-Hernandez without incident and recovered a loaded handgun. Afterwards, troopers discovered that Fernandez-Hernandez had threatened an acquaintance with the gun before the ambulance was called.

Computer checks showed that Fernandez-Hernandez had been adjudicated as delinquent for a felony when he was a juvenile and was prohibited from possessing firearms. The gun was also reported as stolen in 2013 by the Johnston Police Department in Pennsylvania.

Fernandez-Hernandez refused any medical treatment at the scene. He was taken to Troop 4 and charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)

Fernandez-Hernandez was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $18,000 secured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 011923  1342

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Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery of a convenience store that occurred in the Wilmington area early Thursday morning.

On January 19, 2023, at approximately 4:20 a.m., a male suspect entered the 7-11 convenience store located at 220 South Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, and approached the sales counter. The suspect displayed a handgun at an employee and demanded money. After the victim complied, the suspect fled from the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was last seen running westbound toward Reamer Avenue. Troopers responded to the scene and canvassed the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. No one was injured in this incident.

The suspect is described as a black male approximately 5’9”-5’11” tall, approximately 230-250 lbs., wearing all dark clothing and a mask. There are no surveillance images available at this time.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit is currently investigating the incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Armstrong by calling 302-365-8410. 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 1800 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 Jason Hatchell

Released: 011923  1103

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Delaware State Police are investigating shots fired following a road rage incident that occurred in New Castle yesterday morning.

On January 18, 2023, at approximately 11:45 a.m., troopers began investigating shots fired that occurred within the 2000 block of North DuPont Highway (Route 13), New Castle. Investigators learned that the 54-year-old male victim followed a white sedan off of northbound Interstate 295 onto northbound Route 13 to call the police after subjects inside the white sedan were throwing objects at his vehicle. The victim stopped in the left turn lane of northbound Route 13 at the intersection just north of Baylor Boulevard behind two vehicles, a maroon sedan, and a white sedan. A passenger from each of the vehicles then exited and approached the victim’s vehicle. The passenger of the maroon sedan displayed a handgun and fired two rounds at the victim. The victim was not struck by gunfire and fled northbound on Route 13. The suspects’ vehicles were last seen traveling southbound on Route 13 and taking the exit for southbound Interstate 295.

The first suspect is described as a black male approximately 5’9”-6’ tall, 230-250 lbs., with dreadlocks, wearing dark clothing, and armed with a handgun. The suspect was traveling in a maroon sedan.

The second suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s and wearing all dark clothing. The suspect was traveling in a white sedan.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this case. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this incident to please contact Sergeant W. Harris by calling 302-365-8258. 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 1800 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 Jason Hatchell

Released: 011923  1008

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The Delaware State Police have identified the bicyclist who died in a motor vehicle collision on January 16, 2023, in Harrington as Michael G. Smith, 65, of Harrington, 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 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.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 011823  1323

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The Delaware State Police would like to warn the public about leaving their cars unattended and unlocked while idling.

Delaware State Police have recently been handling numerous vehicle thefts occurring throughout the State of Delaware.  A large majority of the thefts have occurred at gas stations, convenience stores, and liquor store parking lots where a vehicle was left unattended, idling, and unlocked. Victims often leave their car running while they go into a store to make a purchase. Investigations show that suspects will specifically look for and target unattended vehicles idling in parking lots.

Additionally, Delaware law states: (Title 21, § 4182) Unattended motor vehicle.  No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon. For a first offense, a fine of $25.00 – $75.00 can be imposed.

The Delaware State Police remind everyone to Lock It… or Lose It!

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 011823  1300

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