Delaware State Police Arrest Subject for Theft of a Motor Vehicle

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant India Sturgis

Released: 050622 1130

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Troopers Arrest Two Subjects for Weapon and Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

Delaware State Police have arrested 23-year-old Tiant Handy of Lincoln, DE and 21-year-old Thomas Finney of Milton, DE for weapon and drug charges following a traffic stop that occurred on Thursday evening.

On May 5, 2022 at approximately 10:25 p.m., a trooper on patrol in the Lincoln area observed a silver Dodge Avenger traveling westbound on Fitzgeralds Road west of Dupont Boulevard. The trooper noticed that the vehicle’s registration had expired, and a traffic stop was initiated on West Clogg Drive. Upon contacting the operator, identified as Tiant Handy, the trooper observed a partially concealed firearm in the vehicle. Both Handy and passenger Thomas Finney were then taken into custody at the scene without incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns and approximately 1 gram of marijuana.

Both Handy and Finney were transported to Troop 4 and charged with the following offenses:

Tiant Handy:

Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm While Possessing a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Possession of Marijuana
Expired Tags

Handy was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and released on $8,250 unsecured bond.

Thomas Finney:

Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree

Finney was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and released on $6,000 unsecured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 050622 1026

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Delaware State Police Investigating Attempted Bank Robbery

Delaware State Police are investigating an attempted bank robbery that occurred Thursday afternoon.

On May 5, 2022, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Delaware State Police responded to the Wells Fargo Bank located at 5801 Limestone Road, Hockessin, for a report of a robbery. The investigation determined a male suspect entered the bank and displayed handgun towards three bank tellers located behind the counter. The suspect while holding a handgun in the air demanded the bank manager to come forward. The tellers reacted by pushing the panic alarm and ran to a secured room. The bank manager also ran from the business through a rear exit door. After no employees complied the suspect fled the scene without obtaining any cash.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 30-40 years-old, 5’10”- 6′ tall, and wearing all dark-colored clothing, sunglasses, and a mask.

No one was injured during this incident and there are no surveillance photographs available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kirchenbauer of Troop 2 Criminal Investigative Unit at 302-365-8428. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delawarecrimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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*UPDATE* Suspect Located and Arrested for Homicide Outside of Super Lodge Motel

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 050622 1018

Update Suspect Located and Arrested for Homicide Outside of Super Lodge Motel

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has released the final update for the homicide that occurred on April 10, 2022 at the Super Lodge motel in New Castle, DE.

On Thursday May 5, 2022, suspect Frank Deshields was extradited to Delaware State Police Troop 5 from the Wicomico County Corrections Center without incident. Deshields was charged with the following crimes:

Murder First Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony)

Deshields was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $563,000 cash bond.

For additional details regarding the initial investigation, please refer to the following links:

Troopers Seeking Assistance Locating Homicide Suspect

Delaware State Police Conducting Homicide Investigation Outside Super Lodge Motel

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: 050522 1435

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Delaware State Police Arrest Two Subjects for Multiple Car Thefts

Delaware State Police have arrested 22-year-old Kevin Vest of Elkton, MD and 28-year-old Tiffany Casapulla of Claymont, DE following an investigation into several vehicle thefts that occurred in April in New Castle, DE.

On April 9, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 1400 Beaver Brook Plaza in New Castle, DE regarding a stolen motor vehicle. The investigation revealed that a 2007 Honda Accord was stolen from the Wawa parking lot by a male suspect, later identified as Kevin Vest. The Accord was sold to a business on April 12, 2022 with a forged title. Vest was accompanied by a female suspect during this transaction, who was later identified as Tiffany Casapulla. On April 13, 2022 at approximately 10:00 p.m., a 2007 Volvo S40 was stolen from the same Wawa by Vest, who was accompanied by Casapulla. Since this incident, the Volvo has yet to be recovered. On April 18, 2022 at approximately 4:50 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 1515 Dupont Parkway in New Castle, DE regarding a stolen motor vehicle. In this incident, a 2002 Ford Taurus was stolen from the parking lot by Vest, who was again accompanied by Casapulla. The Taurus has yet to be located.

Through investigative means, Vest and Casapulla were identified as the suspects involved in all three motor vehicle thefts. On May 4, 2022 at approximately 3:30 p.m., both Vest and Casapulla were located at Casapulla’s residence by the Troop 2 Property Crimes Unit, and were taken into custody without incident. Vest and Casapulla were transported to Troop 1 and charged with the following crimes:

Kevin Vest:

Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony) – 3 counts
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
Identity Theft (Felony)
Theft Under $1,500
Forgery Third Degree

Tiffany Casapulla:

Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony) – 3 counts
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
Theft Under $1,500

Both Vest and Casapulla were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 2. Vest was released on $13,000 unsecured bond. Casapulla was issued a $7,000 unsecured bond, but was committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution and is being held without bail pending extradition for an outstanding warrant in Maryland.

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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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 050522 1357

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Delaware State Police Investigating Attempted Robbery of Dollar Store

The Delaware State Police are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred at a Dollar Tree located in Wilmington, DE.

The incident occurred on May 4, 2022, at approximately 8:57 p.m., when troopers were dispatched to the Dollar Tree located at 3601 Silverside Road, Wilmington, for a report of an attempted robbery. Upon arrival, it was learned that a male suspect entered the store and approached the sales counter demanding money. The suspect kept his hands in pocket resembling he was carrying a weapon. The employee did not comply with the suspect’s demands, so he fled the scene on foot without obtaining any cash.

There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

There are currently no photos of the suspect available at this time.

The suspect was described as a white male approximately 30-40 years old, 5’11”-6’ tall, 170-180 lbs., wearing dark clothing and a mask.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Armstrong of Troop 2 Criminal Investigative Unit at 302-365-8410. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delawarecrimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 050522 1219

Delaware State Police Arrest Four Subjects Following Robbery Investigation

Delaware State Police have arrested four suspects following a robbery investigation that occurred in February.

On February 24, 2022, at approximately 7:10 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington regarding a robbery that had just occurred. The ensuing investigation revealed that numerous subjects had forced their way into the home, assaulted three victims, and stole property from within. The suspects then fled the area on foot towards an unknown destination. Two of the victims, a 23-year-old male and a 22-year old male, sustained minor injuries. A third victim, a 21-year-old male, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Through investigative means, it was determined that four of the suspects involved in this incident were 19-year-old Brandon Humes of Wilmington, DE; 21-year-old Lucciano Messina of Wilmington, DE; 22-year-old Gauge Hulse of Wilmington, DE; and 32-year-old Jorge Reyez-Perez of Wilmington, DE. On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the U.S. Marshals Task Force located Humes, Hulse, and Messina at several different locations in Wilmington. Each subject was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 6. Reyez-Perez turned himself in to Troop 6 on his own accord. All parties were charged with the following crimes:

Assault First Degree (Felony)
Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Home Invasion Burglary First Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Assault Third Degree
Offensive Touching

All four suspects were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 2, and all four were committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $78,500 cash bond.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit is currently investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective R. Kirchenbauer of Delaware State Police Troop 2 at 302-365-8525 or by calling 9-1-1. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police, by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

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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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 050422 1448

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Delaware State Police to Host Teen Driving Safety Seminars

The Delaware State Police will be hosting several seminars across Sussex County in May that will focus on teen driving safety and education. Each seminar will have a member of the Collision Reconstruction Unit, Troop 7 administration, a Community Outreach officer, and a representative from the Victim Services Unit in attendance. There will be no cost to attend, and each seminar is open to students, parents / guardians, new drivers, and anyone else who would like to learn about and discuss safe driving practices.

The dates and locations of these seminars are as follows:

Monday, May 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Sussex Tech High School, 17099 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE
Monday, May 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Delaware State Police Troop 7, 19444 Mulberry Knoll Road, Lewes, DE

Any questions regarding these seminars can be directed to Sergeant N. DeMalto of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-703-3269.

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Delaware State Police Investigate Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 050422 1435

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Update – Victim Identified Delaware State Police Investigate Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

Delaware State Police have identified the victim who died during a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred on April 28, 2022 in the Seaford area as Frank Breeding, 79, of Greenwood, DE.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Anyone who witnessed this collision is asked to contact Sergeant N. DeMalto by calling 302-703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

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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