The Delaware State Police have arrested 35-year-old Mario E. Padilla Caballero of Delmar, Delaware, following a home-invasion burglary and assault that occurred early yesterday morning in Delmar.

On February 9, 2026, at approximately 2:10 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 34000 block of Bi-State Boulevard in Delmar for a report of an assault involving a weapon. Before troopers arrived, they were told that a man, later identified as Mario E. Padilla Caballero, had forced entry into the house and was still there when the 40-year-old male victim arrived home. The victim confronted Padilla Caballero and during a fight, he cut the victim with a knife. When troopers arrived, Padilla Caballero, who is known by the victim, ran from the residence but was taken into custody without incident. The victim suffered minor injuries.

Padilla Caballero was arrested and taken to Troop 5, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $56,201 cash bond.

• Home-Invasion Burglary 1^st Degree – Cause Physical Injury (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Assault 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Terroristic Threatening
• Criminal Mischief
• Resisting Arrest

The Delaware State Police identified 69-year-old Laura Thomas, of Magnolia, Delaware, as the woman who died in the two-vehicle fatal crash Sunday night in Townsend.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has video, to contact Sergent J. Jefferson at (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.

The Delaware State Police is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Sunday night in Townsend.

On February 8, 2026, at approximately 11:40 p.m., troopers responded to the intersection of Dupont Parkway and Summit Bridge Road for a reported crash. The preliminary investigation revealed a Nissan Altima was traveling in the right lane of southbound Dupont Parkway, approaching Summit Bridge Road. At the same time, a Toyota Sienna was traveling in the left turn lane of northbound Dupont Parkway, preparing to turn left onto Summit Bridge Road. For reasons currently being investigated, the Toyota turned left, and the front of the Nissan crashed into the front of the Toyota.

The front passenger of the Toyota, a 69-year-old woman from Magnolia, Delaware, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Toyota, a 43-year-old woman from Dover, Delaware, and the three remaining passengers were all taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Nissan, a 50-year-old man from Townsend, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

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

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has video, to contact Sergent J. Jefferson at (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.

The Delaware State Police arrested 21-year-old Shaniya Clark, of Newark, Delaware, after she assaulted two troopers during a theft investigation Friday evening in Bear.

On February 6, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to the Christiana Mall, located at 132 Christiana Mall in Newark, for a reported theft. Responding troopers learned a woman stole a victim’s cell phone from a kiosk inside the mall. The victim electronically tracked their phone to a shopping center in the 1100 block of Pulaski Highway, in Bear. Troopers obtained a description of the suspect and responded to the shopping center.

After searching the area, troopers located the suspect, later identified as Clark, inside one of the stores. When troopers attempted to take Clark into custody, she physically resisted arrest, causing notable injuries to two troopers and damaging Delaware State Police property. Clark was ultimately arrested and taken to Troop 2. The injured troopers were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released. Investigators found the cell phone and returned it to the victim.

Clark was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $5,900 cash bond.

• Assault Second Degree Injure a Law Enforcement Officer (Felony) – 2 counts
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence or Struggles with a Peace Officer Causing Injury (Felony)
• Theft Under $1,500
• Criminal Mischief Under $1,000 – 2 counts

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) is issuing the following public notifications of homeless and wanted sex offenders.

Wanted Sex Offenders

SOAR 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) 739-5882.  Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.  The individuals shown represent only a portion of the current wanted sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

Homeless Sex Offenders

The following individuals are not wanted for failing to register or re-register at their current address.  This is a homeless sex offender public notification.  If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call (302) 739-5882. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.  The individuals shown are those recently reported homeless and represent only a portion of the current homeless sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

The Delaware State Police arrested 19-year-old Rashawn Chappell, of Dover, Delaware, in connection with a robbery and carjacking that occurred at a Wilmington shopping center in late January.

On January 28, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers responded to a shopping center in the 1900 block of Maryland Avenue in Wilmington, for a report of an armed robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed two male suspects, armed with handguns, approached a man who was seated inside his Toyota Corolla. The suspects ordered the victim out of his car and made him lay on the ground. One suspect stole cash from the victim before both suspects drove away in the victim’s vehicle. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Nearly an hour later, troopers spotted the stolen Toyota Corolla near East 27th Street and Rosemont Avenue in Wilmington. The vehicle was occupied by two men who, upon seeing the trooper’s patrol car, ran away leaving the Corolla behind.

The suspects were described as males with slim builds, approximately 16 to 20 years old, wearing dark-colored clothing, and ski masks.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Chappell as one of the suspects.

On February 5, 2025, troopers apprehended Chappell in Dover without incident.

Chappell was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $134,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Detective D. Armstrong at (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 you 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 arrested a 15-year-old male from Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with a shots fired incident at a New Castle convenience store in January.

On January 13, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., troopers responded to a report of shots fired at the Wawa located at 4000 North Dupont Highway. The preliminary investigation revealed two men arrived at the location, parked their vehicle, and entered the store. Upon exiting, they encountered a group of three men, and a confrontation occurred for unknown reasons. The two men initially returned to their vehicle but later came back to the store in search of the three individuals. Both groups ultimately located one another in the parking lot, where multiple shots were fired. All parties fled the scene following the shooting. There were no reported injuries, and two vehicles were struck by gunfire.

Through an investigation, detectives identified the 15-year-old as one of the shooters.

On February 2, 2026, the teenager was apprehended in Newark and taken to Troop 2. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court, and committed to the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families on a $102,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 18 (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Adjudicated Delinquent (Felony)

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. 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 identified 29-year-old Isiah Johnson, of Wilmington, Delaware, as the man who died in the three-vehicle fatal crash Tuesday evening in Wilmington.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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 arrested 34-year-old Rashod Hull of Pemberton, New Jersey, 30-year-old Isaiah Boykin of Wilmington, Delaware, and 35-year-old Autumn James of Conowingo, Maryland, on racketeering and related felony charges following a multi-agency investigation into a prison drug smuggling operation.

On January 16, 2026, the Delaware Department of Correction contacted the Delaware State Police regarding a possible drug smuggling operation involving a correctional officer and an inmate at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, located at 1301 East 12th Street, in Wilmington.

The New Castle County Special Investigations Unit began an investigation and learned that between December 2025 and January 2026, Correctional Officer Hull accepted payments from inmate Boykin in exchange for delivering narcotics into the prison.  Additionally, detectives learned Hull and Boykin worked with James to complete the exchange of drugs.

On February 1, 2026, detectives responded to Peoples Plaza Shopping Center, located at 830 Peoples Plaza, in Newark, where they witnessed a drug transaction between Hull and James. Detectives apprehended Hull and James shortly after without incident. A search of their possessions revealed the following items:

• Approximately 264 doses of suspected K2 (synthetic marijuana)
• Approximately 24.25 grams of suspected remifentanil
• Approximately 27 strips of suspected suboxone

The Cecil County Drug Task Force in Maryland executed a search warrant at James’ residence on Springway in Conowingo, Maryland. During the search, task force members located additional evidence linking her to the Delaware investigation.

Department of Correction Commissioner Terra Taylor said: “Illegal and illicit contraband poses a risk to the safety, health, and wellbeing of correctional staff, visitors, and incarcerated individuals.  The DOC remains vigilant to counter this threat with significant tools at our disposal to root out and stop contraband flow, whatever the source, and we appreciate the strong support from our law enforcement partners in this effort.  We will continue to reinforce our high standards of conduct and integrity and hold individuals fully accountable to those standards.”

Hull was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $132,000 secured bond.

• Official Misconduct Position Used to Engage in Criminal Conduct (Felony) – 5 counts
• Organized Crime and Racketeering (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony) – 2 counts
• Receiving a Bribe – Public Servant Agrees to Accept Benefit (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

James was taken to Troop 2 where she was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released after posting a $70,000 secured bond.

• Organized Crime and Racketeering (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Bribery – Confer Benefit Upon Public Servant Thereby Influencing Actions (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

On February 3, 2026, Boykin was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and remained in the custody of Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $640,000 cash bond.

• Organized Crime and Racketeering (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Bribery – Confer Benefit Upon Public Servant Thereby Influencing Actions (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police is investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash involving a motorcycle that occurred Tuesday evening in Wilmington.

On February 3, 2026, at approximately 8:20 p.m., troopers responded to South Maryland Avenue, near Reamer Avenue, in Wilmington, for a reported crash. The preliminary investigation revealed a Toyota Tacoma was stopped in the left lane of eastbound South Maryland Avenue, waiting to turn left onto Reamer Avenue. A Dodge Ram was stopped at the stop sign on southbound Reamer Avenue, at South Maryland Avenue. At the same time, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling westbound in the left lane of South Maryland Avenue, approaching Reamer Avenue, at an apparent high rate of speed. The Toyota turned left, and the Harley-Davidson crashed into the passenger side of the Toyota. The Toyota spun and struck the front of the Dodge.

The operator of the Harley-Davidson, a 29-year-old man from Wilmington, was taken to a local hospital where he later died. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Toyota, 32-year-old man from Wilmington, and the driver of the Dodge, a 66-year-old man from Newark, did not report any injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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.