The Delaware State Police arrested 47-year-old Ron Wardlaw and 43-year-old Lashonda Rooks, both of Baltimore, Maryland, on felony theft and drug charges following a shoplifting investigation Wednesday afternoon in Newark.

On February 18. 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., troopers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at 100 Center Drive, for a report of a shoplifting in progress. The preliminary investigation revealed Wardlaw and Rooks walked around the store and selected over $3,300 worth of merchandise. At one point, Rooks entered a fitting room with products, while Wardlaw exited the store, leaving a shopping cart filled with merchandise near the front door.

Troopers learned Wardlaw spoke with an unknown third accomplice who entered the store in search of the cart, however store employees had already recovered the merchandise.

When Troopers arrived, Wardlaw attempted to drive away but troopers stopped his vehicle a short distance from the store. Responding troopers also located Rooks in the fitting room, where she was actively cutting security tags from products with a tool. Both were apprehended without incident. The unknown accomplice fled prior to police arrival.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located approximately 17.85 grams of suspected heroin.

Wardlaw was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $60,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Attempted to Commit Theft – Organized Retail Crime Over $1500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Rooks was taken to Troop 6 where she was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $61,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Shoplifters Tools or Instruments Facilitating Theft (Felony)
• Attempted to Commit Theft – Organized Retail Crime Over $1500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police have arrested 57-year-old James Deshields of Seaford, Delaware, for burglary and related charges in Sussex County after a series of burglaries at homes under construction.

The Delaware State Police responded to several burglaries in September 2025 in which the suspect entered residences and removed or attempted to remove refrigerators. Many of these incidents also resulted in damage to the homes because the suspect cut the water line to the refrigerator.

The Sussex County Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigations. Detectives determined that a suspect and a Honda CRV had been observed at several of the crime scenes, and through further investigation, identified Deshields as a suspect. Investigators also learned that the Georgetown Police Department and the Seaford Police Department were investigating similar incidents.

On September 23, 2025, Deshields was arrested for an unrelated matter.  While he was in custody, detectives obtained a DNA search warrant to compare his DNA against evidence that had been collected from one of the burglary scenes.  While detectives were attempting to obtain a DNA sample from Deshields, he resisted, but the sample was ultimately obtained and sent to the Division of Forensic Science for testing.

Earlier this month, the Division of Forensic Science provided its report, which detectives used to link Deshields to the crimes, and a warrant for his arrest was obtained.

On February 17, 2026, Deshields was arrested without incident and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the offenses listed below.  He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $27,500 unsecured bond.

• Burglary Second Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony) – 3 counts
• Attempted Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 – 3 counts
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree

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

On February 15, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a Jeep Compass was traveling eastbound on Pulaski Highway near David Place. For reasons currently being investigated, the Jeep exited the right edge of the roadway and crashed into a telephone pole. The Jeep’s occupants were pulled from the vehicle just prior to the Jeep catching on fire.

The Jeep’s front passenger, 71-year-old Betty Williams, of Bear, Delaware, was not wearing a seatbelt. She was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. In the early morning hours of February 16, 2026, Williams died as a result of the injuries she sustained during the crash.

The driver of the Jeep, a 70-year-old man from Bear, Delaware, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash, has surveillance or dash-camera footage, 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 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 are investigating an assault that occurred Saturday in Ocean View.

On February 14, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 37000 block of Mahogany Street in Ocean View for a report of an assault. When troopers arrived, they found a 64-year-old man who had been assaulted with a crowbar. He was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation revealed that two white male suspects were yelling and knocking on the victim’s door. When the victim opened the door, he didn’t recognize the two men and tried to close the door. One of the suspects grabbed him, threw him to the ground, and hit him with a crowbar. The suspects then fled in an unknown red car.

The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective W. Saylor at 302-752-3832. 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 62-year-old Kem Mays, of Wilmington, Delaware, on felony burglary and theft charges after stealing from the resident of a senior living facility Sunday morning in Wilmington.

On February 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to Forwood Estates, located at 1912 Marsh Road, in Wilmington, for a reported theft. The preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 8:30 a.m., the victim, who lives at the facility, left their apartment. Shortly afterwards, a facility employee, later identified as Mays, unlawfully entered the victim’s apartment and stole jewelry.

Troopers contacted Mays during the investigation and recovered the stolen jewelry, which was returned to the victim.

Mays was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 1. He was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released on a $12,000 unsecured bond.

• Burglary Second Degree (Felony)
• Theft Under $1,500 Where Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)

The Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Ryan Harding, of Henderson, Maryland, for attempted burglary and related charges.

On February 8, 2026, detectives began investigating an attempted burglary at Smoke Needs, located at 825 Halltown Road in Marydel. Detectives learned that during the overnight hours, an unknown suspect, wearing dark clothing, gloves, and mask, attempted to force entry into the business with a hammer. On February 15, 2026, at approximately 2:15 a.m., detectives saw a Toyota Camry park on Halltown Road near Smoke Needs and contacted the driver, identified as Ryan Harding, who was wearing dark clothing and latex gloves. He was detained without incident. Through investigative means, detectives learned that Harding was planning to burglarize the business and identified him as the suspect in the previous burglary attempt. Detectives found burglary tools in the Camry following a consent search of the car.

Harding was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released on a $3,100 unsecured bond.

• Attempted Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 2 counts
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief under $1,000 – Damage Property

The Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Marrco Bryant, of Seaford, Delaware, on a 6th offense felony DUI and related charges following a traffic stop Friday night in Harrington.

On February 13, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a trooper patrolling South Dupont Highway, near Williamsville Road, saw a Ford F-150 traveling southbound with an equipment violation. The trooper stopped the Ford and spoke with the driver, later identified as Bryant, who showed several signs of impairment. The trooper asked Bryant to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests during which he showed additional indicators of impairment. Bryant was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found empty bottles of alcohol. A computer search of Bryant revealed his driver’s license was suspended and that he had five prior DUI convictions.

Bryant was taken to Troop 3 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $5,101 cash bond.

• 6th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Improper Tail Lights

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 has identified 60-year-old Vincent Spinelli of Millsboro, Delaware, as the man who died in a single-vehicle fatal crash on Wednesday evening in Millsboro.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident.  Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell at (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 1-800-847-3333.

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 56-year-old Joseph Anderson of Millsboro, Delaware, for felony drug and weapons charges following a search warrant yesterday in Long Neck.

On February 11, 2026, members of the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, Sussex County Drug Unit, and the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, executed a search warrant at a property on Ritter Drive in Long Neck. The search warrant was obtained following an investigation of Joseph Anderson for the distribution of illegal narcotics from the residence. During the search warrant, Anderson previously discarded narcotics in the kitchen sink, and he was detained without incident.

A search of the property led to the discovery of the following items:

• 12-gauge double barrel shotgun
• 12-gauge pump shotgun
• 12-guage single shot shotgun
• .50 caliber muzzleloader
• .22 caliber handgun
• Assorted ammunition
• Approximately 4.11 grams of methamphetamine
• 1 Diazepam pill
• Digital scales
• Drug paraphernalia

Anderson was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $67,500 secured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 6 counts
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Possess, Consume, a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 2 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia