Colonel William D. Crotty, the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, proudly announces the graduation of the 105^th Delaware State Police and 101^st Municipal Police Recruit Class.

On February 19, 2026, a graduation ceremony was held at Dover Middle School to commemorate the successful completion of the Delaware State Police Training Academy.  There, 20 Delaware State Troopers and 9 Municipal Police Officers, representing the Delaware Natural Resources Police, the Georgetown Police Department, the Middletown Police Department, and the Millsboro Police Department, were recognized, marking the beginning of their careers in public service.

In addition to a message from one of their own, Trooper Gabriel Hayes, who was selected by his classmates to address the class and guests, the program also included messages to the class from:

Governor Matthew Meyer
State of Delaware

State Prosecutor Dan Logan
Delaware Department of Justice

Secretary Joshua A. Bushweller
Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Colonel William D. Crotty
Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

In recognition of exemplary achievements, the following awards were presented:

Trooper David Hernandez
Delaware State Police Academy Physical Fitness Award

Trooper Maximillian Schwetje
Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Patrolman Keishawn Mansfield, Georgetown Police Department
Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award

Patrolman Horace Rose, Georgetown Police Department
Delaware State Police Academy Core Value Award

Trooper Maximillian Schwetje
The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award

Patrolman Autumn Potter, Millsboro Police Department
The Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence

Officer Eric Johnson, Middletown Police Department
Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police Award

Trooper Gabriel Hayes
Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award

105^th Delaware State Police Recruit Class

Trooper Damian Alexander

Trooper Justin Altemus

Trooper Gavin Burton

Trooper Shawn Church

Trooper Jonathan Crist

Trooper Gracie Frech

Trooper Nicolas Gaspich

Trooper Miller Gladding

Trooper Gabriel Hayes

Trooper Raymond Hearns

Trooper David Hernandez

Trooper Jacob Hudson

Trooper Strovenscolv Larochelle

Trooper Macy Layfield

Trooper Courtney McCloskey

Trooper Brendan McKewen

Trooper Carlton North

Trooper Tyler Sareyka

Trooper Maximillian Schwetje

Trooper Brock Vincent

101^st Municipal Police Recruit Class

Officer Spencer Failing, Delaware Natural Resources Police

Officer Gabriel Martin, Delaware Natural Resources Police

Patrolman Alec Barr, Georgetown Police Department

Patrolman Keishawn Mansfield, Georgetown Police Department

Patrolman Dominick Redshaw, Georgetown Police Department

Patrolman Horace Rose, Georgetown Police Department

Officer Eric Johnson, Middletown Police Department

Officer Yordi Ventura, Middletown Police Department

Patrolman Autumn Potter, Millsboro Police Department

The Delaware State Police arrested 54-year-old Kevin Markle, of Wilmington, Delaware, on felony 5th offense driving under the influence and related charges following a traffic stop Tuesday night in Elsmere.

On February 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a trooper was patrolling Kirkwood Highway, near South Dupont Road, in Elsmere, when a Toyota Tundra made a U-turn from eastbound Kirkwood Highway onto westbound Kirkwood Highway, at South Dupont Road. During the turn, the vehicle drove onto a sidewalk before returning to the roadway. The trooper also observed the Tundra had an equipment violation.

The trooper initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, who was identified as Kevin Markle. While talking to Markle, the trooper observed several signs of impairment and saw multiple open cans of beer inside the Tundra. Markle was asked to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, during which he continued to display signs of impairment.

Markle was taken into custody without incident. A computer check revealed he had four prior DUI convictions.

Markle was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with 5th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony) and related traffic offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released on a $1,100 unsecured bond.

The Delaware State Police arrested a 16-year-old male, from Wilmington, Delaware, on robbery and related felony charges in connection with an armed robbery that occurred last December at a Claymont pharmacy.

On December 24, 2025, at approximately 9:50 a.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Darley Pharmacy, located at 111 Darley Road in Claymont. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown white male suspect entered the business, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the register. The employee complied, and during the robbery, the suspect demanded a customer’s property. The customer also complied, and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and property. No one was hurt. The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case and learned the suspect wore a face covering to conceal his identity.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the New Castle County Police Department Major Crimes Unit was investigating the same 16-year-old in an unrelated case. County detectives found evidence linking the teen to the Darley Pharmacy robbery and shared that information with state police detectives. Troopers continued the investigation and identified additional evidence connecting the teen to the incident. Investigators also discovered the 16-year-old had a prior felony conviction for an armed robbery he committed in 2024.

On February 24, 2026, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the teen, who was already in custody at the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families on unrelated charges.  He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court, and remained committed on a $106,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Value Over $1500 (Felony)

The Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Mark Hartnett, of Wilmington, Delaware, and 38-year-old Thomas Drummond, of Newport, Delaware, on felony theft and related charges following a multi-month investigation into a series of metal thefts at businesses throughout New Castle County.

During the fall of 2025, troopers responded to multiple businesses in New Castle County for reports of metal thefts. The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation and learned the following:

On September 30, 2025, at approximately 2:15 a.m., two unknown suspects unlawfully entered a business property in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects removed approximately 200 pounds of aluminum wire and caused damage to the property before fleeing.

In the early morning hours of November 14, 2025, two individuals matching the same description entered another business property in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects stole several hundred pounds of HVAC-related materials and fled the area.

On November 27, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the suspects entered a business property in the 100 block of Carson Drive in Bear and forced their way into a box truck. They stole several spools of copper wire from the truck before fleeing the area.

On December 16, 2025, at approximately 3:40 a.m., the same suspects entered a business property in the 800 block of Powder Mill Road in Wilmington. They cut copper wire from a building which damaged the business, then fled.

On December 29, 2025, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the pair returned to a business in the unit block of King Court in New Castle. The suspects cut their way into a fence in search of more metal, however the business previously removed all items, and the suspects left empty handed.

On January 25, 2026, at approximately 4:40 a.m., the suspects again targeted the business in the 800 block of Powder Mill Road in Wilmington. They removed several hundred feet of copper wire and caused additional damage before fleeing. At the time of this incident, a weather-related State of Emergency with a Level 2 driving restriction was in effect.

Throughout the investigation, detectives observed that the suspects wore face coverings during the crimes to conceal their identities. In total, the suspects stole approximately $21,500 worth of materials and caused an estimated $78,800 in damage to the affected businesses.

Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspects as Hartnett and Drummond. Additionally, detectives learned Hartnett visited multiple scrap metal facilities and sold materials that were previously stolen from the businesses. Detectives obtained warrants for their arrests.

On February 20, 2026, detectives located Hartnett in Wilmington and apprehended him without incident. He 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 Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $52,404 secured bond. He was later released after posting bail.

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief $5000 or More Damage Property (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
• Conspiracy Third Degree
• Theft Under $1500 – 3 counts
• Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1500
• Selling Stolen Property Under $1500 – 4 counts
• Criminal Mischief $1000 but Less Than $5000 Damage Property
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage Property
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 2 counts
• Fail to Obey Emergency Order
• Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 4 counts

On February 23, 2026, troopers located Drummond in New Castle and apprehended him without incident. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released after posting a $9,400 secured bond.

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief $5000 or More Damage Property (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 4 counts
• Conspiracy Third Degree
• Theft Under $1500 – 3 counts
• Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1500
• Criminal Mischief $1000 but Less Than $5000 Damage Property
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage Property
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 2 counts
• Fail to Obey Emergency Order
• Criminal Trespass Third Degree – 4 counts

The Delaware State Police have arrested 28-year-old Marcus McClain of New Castle, Delaware, for attempted robbery of the Dover Federal Credit Union in New Castle on Saturday.

On February 21, 2026, at approximately 10:50 a.m., troopers responded to the Dover Federal Credit Union, located at 499 Pulaski Highway in New Castle, after receiving a bank alarm activation.  Bank employees reported that McClain entered the bank wearing a face mask and gloves and initially refused to remove them despite their requests.  McClain eventually removed the mask but kept his gloves on, approached a teller, and wrote a dollar amount on a piece of paper.  After he would not provide identification or an account number, the teller became increasingly uncomfortable, notified co-workers, and ultimately activated the bank alarm.

When troopers arrived, McClain was still inside the bank and was arrested without incident. During a search of McClain, troopers found a black pellet gun, resembling a Colt Python Revolver, concealed in his waistband. The Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation.  Detectives learned that the pellet gun was not used during the incident, McClain was not a bank customer, and there was no financial loss.

McClain was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $65,000 cash bond.

• Attempted Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)

The Delaware State Police has identified 19-year-old Unique Williams of Newark, Delaware, as the woman who died in a two-vehicle head-on fatal crash on Friday evening in Wilmington.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483.  Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by 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 is investigating a two-vehicle head-on fatal crash that occurred Friday night in Wilmington.

On February 20, 2026, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a Chrysler 200 was traveling northbound on I-95 south of Harvey Road, in Wilmington. At the same time, a Volvo truck-tractor pulling a vehicle transporter trailer loaded with three cars was traveling southbound on I-95 in the same area. For reasons still under investigation, the Chrysler crossed the center grass median and collided head-on with the Volvo.

The driver of the Chrysler, a 19-year-old female from Newark, Delaware, was not properly restrained and was ejected from the car.  She was taken to an area hospital, where she died from her injuries. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.

The driver of the Volvo, a 34-year-old male from New York, was also taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately six hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash.  Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483.  Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by 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 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 20-year-old Daviel Aviles, of Middletown, Delaware, in connection with a robbery investigation that occurred last May in Bear.

On May 19, 2025, at approximately 2:15 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery in the parking lot of the Salem Center, located at 1693 Pulaski Highway in Bear. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was involved in an argument with a suspect while in the parking lot. During the argument, a second suspect approached, and displayed a handgun. Both suspects worked together to take the victim’s vehicle and fled from the shopping center in the stolen vehicle.

Through investigative means, detectives from the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit identified Calvin Williams, and Daviel Aviles as the suspects responsible for the robbery, and obtained warrants for their arrest. On May 30, 2025, detectives and members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence and took him into custody without incident.

On February 19, 2026, Aviles turned himself in at Troop 2. 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 $20,500 cash bond.

• Robbery Second Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police is investigating a shots fired incident that occurred late Wednesday night at a gas station in Claymont.

On February 18, 2026, at approximately 11:50 p.m., troopers responded to the Sunoco located at 3615 Philadelphia Pike, for a report of shots fired. The preliminary investigation revealed a gray sedan arrived at the gas station and parked near a fuel pump. The driver exited the vehicle and entered the convenience store. A short time later, a second vehicle arrived and parked nearby. The occupants of that vehicle also entered the store.

After a brief interaction between the two parties, the driver of the sedan ran back to his vehicle. As the other two individuals exited the store, an unknown suspect fired multiple handgun rounds from the sedan towards them. Everyone fled the scene prior to police arrival.

There were no reported injuries however the store was damaged by gunfire.

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 B. Timmons at (302) 365-8434. 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.