Delaware State Police are investigating a tow truck robbery that occurred in the Wilmington, DE area on Saturday evening.

On April 16^th, 2022, at approximately 7:00 p.m., troopers on patrol in the area of the B.P. Gas station located at 708 Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington, DE observed a large number of ATV’s and dirt bikes driving erratically and creating hazardous conditions for other vehicle traffic. As troopers responded to the gas station, the operators of the ATV’s and dirt bikes began to flee the scene. One ATV was abandoned by its operator in the parking lot, and it was towed from the scene by Holly Oak tow truck company. The tow truck began transporting the ATV to its tow yard, but the driver was confronted by two subjects on Cauffiel Parkway east of Philadelphia Pike. Numerous ATV’s and dirt bikes surrounded the tow truck so the driver could not leave the scene. The two subjects then threatened to harm the tow truck driver and passenger if they did not release the vehicle to them. The subjects were eventually able to remove the ATV from the bed of the tow truck, and they fled the area with the vehicle to an unknown destination. Neither the tow truck driver nor the passenger were harmed in this incident.

Both suspects are described as black males, approximately 20-30 years of age. No further information is available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective B. Harris of Troop 2 Robbery Unit by calling 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.delaware.crimestoppers.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. (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 041822  1623

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Delaware State Police have arrested 29-year-old Jaread Mears of Laurel, DE for theft and related charges following an investigation that began in March.

On March 28^th, 2022, troopers responded to the Accurate Pest Control business located at 30139 Sussex Highway in Laurel, DE regarding a theft of a vehicle trailer. The ensuing investigation revealed that two suspects had stolen a Sure Trac trailer on March 26^th, 2022. The trailer was located on March 28^th, 2022 in Seaford, DE after the suspects sold it to a third party. Through investigative measures, it was determined that the two suspects were Jaread Mears and 39-year-old Chad Mitchell of Laurel, DE. Mears was apprehended by Georgetown Police Department on April 15^th, 2022 after Mears attempted to flee from officers on foot.

Mears was transported to Georgetown Police Department where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Theft Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Selling Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Trespass Third Degree

Mears was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and released on $6,050 unsecured bond.

Mitchell has yet to be located and has an active warrant for the same charges.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Chad Mitchell is asked to contact Trooper M. Marino of Delaware State Police Troop 5 at 302-337-1090 or by calling 911. 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 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. (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: 041822  1453

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Delaware State Police have identified the victim who died in a Friday afternoon crash on Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9) west of EbbTide Drive, Lewes, as Dakhyi Floyd, 17, of Middletown, DE. 

This collision remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to contact Corporal/1 Smith at 302-703-3267. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

Delaware State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

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. (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: 041722 1043

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Dover– The following subjects are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed subject is occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 041622 0826

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Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred Friday afternoon on Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9) west of EbbTide Drive, Lewes.

On Friday, April 16, 2022, at approximately 2:10 p.m., a 2012 Honda CR-V, was traveling eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9), approaching the intersection at Ebb Tide Drive. At this time a 2009 Ram 1500 was traveling westbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway, crossing the intersection at Ebb Tide Drive. A non-contact vehicle was stopped eastbound waiting to turn left onto Ebb Tide Drive.  A second non-contact vehicle was slowing to a stop behind this vehicle.  The operator of the Honda failed to observe the stopped traffic ahead, and in an attempt to avoid a collision, swerved left into the westbound lane. The Ram also swerved towards the shoulder, to avoid the Honda, but the front of both vehicles struck in a near-head-on collision. After impact the Honda overturned and struck a utility pole before coming to rest off the roadway.  The Ram came to rest in the same area as the impact.

There were five occupants inside of the Honda.

• An 18-year-old male of Bear, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
• A 17-year-old female of Bear, DE was transported to Beebe Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
• An 18-year-old female of Wilmington, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition.
• A 16-year-old female of Middletown, DE was flown to Christiana Hospital in critical condition
• A 17-year-old male of Middletown, DE was transported to Beebe Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.

At this time the operator of the Honda has not been confirmed. This remains an active and on-going investigation.

The 77-year-old male operator of the Ram was treated and released at an area hospital for minor injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the investigation was completed, and the roadway was cleared.

This collision remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to contact Corporal/1 Smith at 302-703-3267. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

*Traffic Advisory* Roadway Closure Lewes Georgetown Highway (SR 9) West of Coastal Highway

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. (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 041622 0733

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The traffic advisory issued for Lewes Georgetown Highway (SR 9) has been cancelled. The roadway in the area of Ebb Tide Drive, west of Coastal Highway (SR 1), has been reopened. Delaware State Police continue to investigate the serious injury motor vehicle collision that resulted in the roadway closing.

Once more information becomes available regarding the collision, an update will be provided.

*Traffic Advisory* Roadway Closure Lewes Georgetown Highway (SR 9) West of Coastal Highway

Presented by: Public Information Officer, Sgt. Heather Pepper

Released: 041522 1732

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Delaware State Police have issued a traffic advisory for Lewes Georgetown Highway (SR 9). The roadway is currently closed in the area of Ebb Tide Drive, west of Coastal Highway (SR 1), for a serious injury collision. As a result, the roadway will be closed for an extended period of time. Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes of travel to avoid delays.

Once more information becomes available regarding the collision and roadway closure, an update will be provided.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sergeant Heather Pepper

Released: 041522 1440

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Delaware State Police have arrested 38-year-old Tara Madden of Selbyville, DE on multiple felony criminal warrants following a traffic stop on Thursday afternoon.

On April 14^th, 2022 at approximately 3:56 p.m., an officer with the Greenwood Police Department observed a tan Chevrolet Cruze traveling southbound on Sussex Highway in the area of Market Street. The operator of the Cruze failed to stop at the red light at this intersection, and a traffic stop was initiated. The officer made contact with the operator and owner of the vehicle, identified as Tara Madden. A computer check of Madden revealed that she had four active criminal warrants for her arrest, stemming from numerous incidents that had occurred throughout March and April in the Frankford, Millville, and Millsboro areas. Madden was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 5, where she was charged with the following crimes:

• Theft of a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Theft Greater Than $1,500 (Felony)
• Theft From a Senior (Felony) – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief
• Offensive Touching

Madden was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 2 and released on $4,500 unsecured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 041522  1050

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On Friday, April 8th and Saturday, April 9th, 2022, the Delaware State Police working in conjunction with 14 other states and 11 Delaware municipal agencies completed the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” and the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” traffic enforcement initiatives.  These high visibility traffic enforcement initiatives focused on distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, unsafe driving behaviors of the operators of large trucks/buses and occupant protection.

DSP and the law enforcement agencies in the 14 other states focused on traffic enforcement along 1,920 miles of I-95 stretching from Maine to Florida to keep motorists safe and reduce fatalities. The 15 state police agencies included Florida Highway Patrol, North Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Georgia Highway Patrol, Virginia State Police, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, New York State Police, Connecticut State Police, Rhode Island State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police and Maine State Police. During this period over 5,300 traffic contacts (traffic citations and warnings) were made. There were 2,140 contacts for speeding, 314 for cell phone use, 310 seatbelt violations, and there were 37 DUI arrests made.

During the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” initiative, Delaware State Troopers with support from the Office of Highway Safety and 11 municipal agencies including the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Dover Police Department, Cheswold Police Department, Elsmere Police Department, Milford Police Department, New Castle City Police Department, Newport Police Department, Ocean View Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Milton Police Department, and Seaford Police Department conducted traffic enforcement statewide by targeting roadways throughout the state. During this period 266 traffic contacts (traffic citations and warnings) were made.

The Delaware State Police would like to thank everyone who participated in the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” and the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” traffic initiatives.  This campaign helped to keep Delaware citizens along with its visitors safe as they traveled throughout the state.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 041522 0917

Kent County, DE- Delaware State Police Troop 3 will be hosting a Community Café on Friday, April 29, 2022. The event will be held from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at Rudy’s Family Restaurant and Pizzeria located at 17064 S DuPont Hwy Harrington, DE. The Community Café will have Troop 3 Administration, Community Outreach Officer, and Harrington Police Department Administration in attendance to meet and interact with members of the public. This Community Café is often referred to as “Coffee with a Cop” in other police agencies and is being held in an effort to build a stronger relationship between the Delaware State Police and the communities that we so proudly serve.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Sgt. Heather Pepper

Released: 041522 0900

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