The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run crash that occurred last night in Milford.

On March 23, 2026, at approximately 8:10 p.m., an unknown vehicle was traveling westbound on Milford-Harrington Highway east of Church Hill Road. At the same time, a pedestrian was walking westbound, possibly just inside the westbound lane of Milford-Harrington Highway, east of Church Hill Road.  The investigation revealed that the unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian and left the scene in an unknown direction of travel.

The pedestrian, a 74-year-old man from Harrington, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital where he died. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The roadway was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash or might have more information to 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 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 40-year-old Joseph Hertkorn, of Linwood, Pennsylvania, on felony firearm and related charges in connection with a trespass investigation Sunday afternoon in Wilmington.

On March 22, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a business in the 300 block of Naamans Road reported they saw male suspect on their camera system walking around their property holding bolt cutters. The caller reported concerns that the man may try to force entry into the building and provided his description for responding troopers.

A responding trooper located a man matching the description, later identified as Joseph Hertkorn, walking on Naamans Road near the business while carrying bolt cutters. When the trooper attempted to detain him, Hertkorn fled on foot and jumped over a fence toward a nearby home improvement store. During the foot pursuit, the trooper observed Hertkorn discard a handgun.

Additional troopers responded to the area, and Hertkorn was taken into custody without further incident. A search of Hertkorn revealed drug paraphernalia and troopers also recovered the loaded handgun from a nearby wooded area. Further investigation determined Hertkorn is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior violent felony conviction.

Hertkorn was taken to Troop 1 where he was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $44,600 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deady Weapon (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree

The Delaware State Police is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Sunday in Georgetown.

On March 22, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on Zoar Road, west of Governor Stockley Road, approaching a slight curve in the road. For reasons currently under investigation, the vehicle failed to navigate the curve and ultimately entered a farm field, where it struck an irrigation system and a utility pole before overturning onto its roof.

The driver, 23-year-old William Chilel-Ramirez, from Millsboro, Delaware, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The roadway was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is still ongoing by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

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 is investigating a robbery that occurred Saturday afternoon at a New Castle Motel.

On March 21, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., troopers responded to the Superlodge, located at 1213 West Avenue, for a report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed two unknown male suspects approached a 23-year-old New Castle man as he stood in the parking lot. The suspects assaulted the victim and forcibly removed his personal property from his pockets before fleeing the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects are described as teenage or young adult males wearing dark-colored clothing.

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 41-year-old Ronald Keiser, and 42-year-old Heather Crane, both of Hartly, Delaware, on burglary and related charges following multiple incidents at a farm in Harrington.

On November 17, 2025, troopers responded to the 3000 block of Woodyard Road for a report of a burglary. The preliminary investigation revealed unknown suspects unlawfully entered a barn and chicken house on the property. The suspects cut copper wiring and stole additional equipment, causing approximately $80,000 in damage before fleeing the area.

On March 14, 2026, troopers responded to the same location for another reported burglary. Investigators determined that suspects again entered a barn and stole various items, including an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). A few days later, the victim discovered their stolen ATV listed for sale on a social media website.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the individuals selling the ATV as Keiser and Crane and obtained a search warrant for their residence in Hartly.

On March 20, 2026, detectives executed the search warrant and took both Keiser and Crane into custody without incident. During the search, detectives recovered multiple items belonging to the victim. Further investigation also linked Crane to the November burglary.

Crane was taken to Troop 3 where she was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on her own recognizance.

• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony)
• Theft Under $1500 Where a Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief $5,000 or more (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Keiser was taken to Troop 3 where he was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on his own recognizance.

• Receive or Transfer a Stolen Vehicle (Felony)
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000

The Delaware State Police has identified 72-year-old Patricia Sulecki of Millsboro, Delaware, as the victim who was killed by her son on Thursday in Millsboro.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8471. Information can also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

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 arrested 24-year-old Shawn Wootson, of New Castle, Delaware, on murder and attempted rape charges following a 2024 death investigation in Newark. 

On November 23, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers responded to the area of a retention pond at the Christiana Hospital campus, located at 4755 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark. Troopers found 42-year-old Amie Bradley from North Carolina unresponsive and began life-saving efforts. The victim was transported to the hospital by EMS, where she later died.  

Due to the suspicious nature of the case, the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Homicide Unit, took over the case.  Through extensive investigation, Wootson was identified as a person of interest, and detectives found evidence indicating he strangled and attempted to sexually assault the victim. Until recently, detectives were unable to contact him as he fled out of the state shortly after the incident.  

On March 16, 2026, detectives presented their investigative findings to a New Castle County Grand Jury, which indicted Wootson for Bradley’s murder. On March 17, 2026, detectives, with the assistance of the DSP Special Operations Response Team (SORT), took Wootson into custody and transported him to Troop 2. 

At Troop 2, during a break in Wootson’s interview and while he was confined in a formal interview room, he accessed the ceiling and attempted to escape. Wootson was quickly apprehended following a taser deployment. During this incident, a large police presence was deployed around the Troop’s exterior as a precaution. Additional charges are pending for Wootson’s attempted escape.  

Wootson 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 $2,060,000 cash bond. 

• Murder in the First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts 

• Attempted Rape Second Degree 

The Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old male from Wilmington, Delaware, and are searching for a second suspect following an armed robbery that occurred Saturday evening at the Christiana Mall in Newark.

On March 21, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot near JCPenney, located at 606 Christiana Mall, for a reported armed robbery. Responding troopers were provided with suspect descriptions and located the 17-year-old matching one of the descriptions. The teen ran away, and troopers chased him across multiple lanes of Route 1 before taking him into custody. A loaded handgun was recovered from his waistband.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. The preliminary investigation revealed as two victims were preparing to enter their vehicle, the 17-year-old and an unknown male suspect approached and demanded the first victim turn over their personal property. The 17-year-old produced a handgun while the other suspect removed the victim’s belongings. The unknown suspect ran away with the victim’s property and the 17-year-old struck the victim in their head with the firearm. The armed teen then chased after the second victim while aiming the firearm at them, however they escaped uninjured.

The victim struck with the firearm, a 47-year-old man from Bridgeville, declined medical treatment on scene.

The second suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 20 to 24 years old, between 5’8” and 5’9” tall, and weighing 160 to 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, dark-colored jeans, and a black face mask. He fled in an unknown direction. Initial reports indicated the suspect was armed, however the subsequent investigation confirmed he was unarmed.

While troopers were investigating the robbery, the New Castle County Police Department was already on mall property investigating an unrelated carjacking incident.

The 17-year-old was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families on a $55,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammo for a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who witnessed or has information about this case to contact Detective J. Lucyk at (302) 365-8446. 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 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 arrested 73-year-old Teddy Torres, of Newark, Delaware, for felony firearm and related charges after threatening a medical office employee with a handgun Thursday afternoon in Newark.

On March 20, 2026, troopers responded to a medical office located within 1 Centurian Drive, in Newark, for a report of a weapons violation. The preliminary investigation revealed on the afternoon of March 19, 2026, the suspect requested to speak with a specific employee regarding a billing issue. During the conversation, the suspect lifted his shirt, revealing a handgun, and made a statement indicating it would be easy to take the employee hostage. Troopers were provided with a description of the handgun.

Through the investigation, troopers identified the suspect as Teddy Torres and learned he held a license to carry concealed deadly weapons.

Later that day, troopers located Torres driving on Lucerne Drive in Newark and conducted a traffic stop. During a subsequent search, troopers recovered a handgun from his possession which matched the previously provided description.

Torres was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $67,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Harassment

The Delaware State Police arrested 58-year-old Frederick Fenton, of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in connection with a string of commercial burglaries that began in early March.

On March 8, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m., troopers responded to the Exxon gas station, located at 2600 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark, for a reported burglary. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown male suspect used a tool to damage the business’s front door lock before entering the building. Once inside, the suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the area.

On March 15, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., troopers responded to White Clay Liquors, located at 4614 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark, for another reported burglary. Investigators determined the suspect again used a tool to disable the business’s front door lock before entering. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and multiple packs of cigarettes before fleeing.

Later that same day, at approximately 10:20 p.m., troopers learned of a third burglary at Country Tobacco, located at 5998 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. Similar to the previous incidents, the suspect forced entry by defeating the store’s front door lock and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect wore a face mask during all three burglaries.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. Detectives discovered the suspect drove a dark-colored pickup truck and switched the registration plate with one stolen from a similar vehicle to avoid detection. Investigators also learned the suspect entered at least one of the businesses hours prior to the burglary in an apparent attempt to case the location. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspect as Frederick Fenton and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On March 20, 2026, troopers patrolling New Castle Avenue saw Fenton’s pickup truck, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested him without incident.

Fenton was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $32,500 secured bond.

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
• Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 – 3 counts