Millsboro, DE- Delaware State Police arrested Jacob D. Burke, 53, of Millsboro, on felony DUI and criminal charges following an incident Sunday evening.

On August 22, 2021, at approximately 6:27 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the McDonalds located at 25910 Plaza Drive, Millsboro, for a report of a disorderly person. The investigation determined Jacob D. Burke was acting disorderly in the drive-thru lane of Mcdonald’s when he was contacted by a male and female patron about his behavior. As the individuals returned to their vehicle, Burke exited his vehicle carrying a large fixed blade knife and approached them as they sat in their vehicle. The male exited the car and tried speaking with Burke while telling him to drop the knife. Burke eventually dropped the knife and then struck the male in the arm but did not cause any injury. He then retrieved the knife from the ground, returned to his vehicle, and fled the area. A trooper responding to the scene observed Burke traveling eastbound on John J. Williams Highway (SR 24) in the area of Angola Road and initiated a car stop on his vehicle. Burke turned right into the Lighthouse Baptist Church parking lot located at 21265 John J. Williams Highway and immediately exited his vehicle. The trooper observed a pocket knife in Burke’s pocket and gave multiple commands to Burke, but he failed to comply. Burke eventually threw the pocket knife in his possession and was taken into custody after a brief struggle with the trooper. A strong odor of alcohol was detected emitting from Burke, and a DUI investigation ensued. Located in Burke’s vehicle was a fixed blade knife with a six-inch blade, and the pocket knife he threw was located by troopers. A computer inquiry was conducted and determined Burke had three previous DUI convictions.

Burke was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 7, and charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• 4th Offense Driving Under the Influence (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Driving While Suspended
• Offensive Touching
• Disorderly Conduct

Burke was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $41,150.00 cash bond.

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 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 unit Director at Debra.Reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 082321 1000

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Wilmington- Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred this morning on southbound I-95 south of the Brandywine River Bridge.

On August 22, 2021, at approximately 4:13 a.m., a black 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 through a construction zone and struck a crash attenuator positioned in the gore area between the single southbound lane of travel and the exit ramp for Delaware Avenue.  The Jeep subsequently rotated clockwise and came to rest perpendicular to the roadway, completely blocking the single southbound lane of travel.  After this collision, a 25-year-old female who was traveling southbound I-95, stopped her vehicle on the left shoulder of the off-ramp to Delaware Avenue.  The female exited her vehicle and walked into the single southbound lane of travel to offer assistance to the operator of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

During that time, a 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck was approaching the collision scene.  The 72-year-old operator was unable to perceive the collision ahead due to lighting and weather conditions. The front of the GMC struck the pedestrian within the southbound lane of travel and then struck the passenger side of the Jeep Cherokee.  Both vehicles traveled south together a short distance and eventually came to rest within the single southbound lane of travel, again completely blocking the travel lane.

The 37-year-old operator of the Jeep was transported to Wilmington Hospital where he was treated and later released for minor injuries.

The 25-year-old pedestrian was transported by ambulance to Christiana Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.

Impairment is not a factor with any operator in this collision.

Interstate 95 southbound was closed at its junction with US Route 202 for approximately 5 hours while the two collisions were investigated and cleared.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this collision should contact Detective Breen with the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.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 unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 082221 1700

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Newark – The Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a Newark area gas station that occurred this morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:48 a.m., Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Shell gas station, located at 1148 Christiana Road, Newark, when troopers responded to a knife point robbery. Investigation determined a male suspect entered the store and confronted a male employee behind the sales counter. The suspect displayed a knife and demanded money from the register. The employee complied and the suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. Upon the suspect running into the parking lot, a good Samaritan who witnessed the incident held the suspect at gunpoint which caused him to drop some of the proceeds. The suspect was then able to return to his vehicle and fled the scene in a blue sedan. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a white male approximately  5’8”-5’10” tall, 220 lbs., wearing a light-colored shirt, khaki shorts, a black baseball hat.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Harris of the 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.crimestoppersweb.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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 082221 1046

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Dover- Delaware State Police are conducting a homicide investigation that occurred Saturday morning in Dover.

On Saturday, August 21, 2021, at approximately 8:57 a.m., the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to the 2000 block of Dyke Branch Road, Dover, for a deceased subject located in a field. The victim, a 30-year-old female, was found in a cornfield with apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was taken to the Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Mark Ryde with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-741-2730 or Mark.ryde@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.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 unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 082221 0907

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Clayton- Delaware State Police are conducting a homicide investigation that occurred Friday at a residence in Clayton.

On Friday, August 20, 2021, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to assist Clayton Police Department with a deceased subject located at a residence on the 200 block of South Rodney Street, Clayton, DE. The victim, a 65-year-old male resident of the house, was found on the ground floor of the residence by a family member. The victim suffered trauma to the upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was taken to the Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death. The Homicide Unit assumed this investigation at the request of Clayton Police Department.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Daniel Grassi with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-365-8441 or Daniel.grassi@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.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 unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 082121 0720

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New Castle – The Delaware State Police are investigating the attempted robbery of a New Castle area home improvement store that occurred yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at the Lowes, located at 2225 Hessler Boulevard, New Castle, when troopers responded to a knife point robbery. Investigation determined a male suspect entered the store through the garden center and confronted a female employee behind the sales counter. The suspect displayed a knife and demanded money from the register. The employee attempted to comply with demands, but was unsuccessful at opening the register. The suspect then fled out of the store without obtaining any cash. The suspect was last seen running away from the scene towards Route 13. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a black male approximately 20-25 years old, 5’8”-5’10” tall, 200 lbs., wearing a dark-colored shirt, khaki shorts, sunglasses, and black skull cap.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Harris of the 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.crimestoppersweb.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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell

Released: 081921 0907

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Seaford – The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal collision involving a pedestrian that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday August 17, 2021 as a 2017 International Tractor Trailer was northbound on Sussex Highway (US13) just south of Brickyard Road in the right lane. A 46-year-old male was walking northbound on the shoulder of US13 when for undetermined reasons, walked into the northbound right lane and into the path of the truck. The 59-year-old tractor trailer operator from Salisbury, Maryland attempted to swerve to avoid striking the pedestrian, but was unable and the pedestrian was ultimately struck in the middle of the roadway. The tractor trailer continued into the center median where it was able to come to a controlled stop.

The 46-year-old male pedestrian, who has been identified as Edward A. Hamorski with a last known address of Jacksonville, North Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 59-year-old tractor trailer driver was uninjured in the collision.

US13 northbound in the area of the crash was closed for approximately three hours while the collision was investigated and cleared.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Master Corporal K. Argo by calling 302-703-3264. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

*Traffic Advisory* Delaware State Police Investigating Serious Crash- Seaford

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 unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 081821 1530

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Seaford – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred late yesterday afternoon west of Seaford.

The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday August 17, 2021, as Norman A. Miller, 80 of Seaford was operating a 1996 GMC Sierra southbound on Woodpecker Road approaching a gradual left curve in the roadway approximately one tenth of mile north of Woodland Ferry Road. As the truck began negotiating the curve, it encountered a section of roadway with standing water and began to hydroplane. The GMC pickup began to slide in a sideway manner before exiting the east side of the roadway, sliding across an asphalt private driveway and then across a grass surface until it struck a standing tree with the right side.

Norman Miller, who was not properly restrained, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Woodpecker Road between Woodland Ferry Road and Old Carriage Road was closed for approximately four hours while the collision was investigated and cleared. Approximately two hours prior to the collision DelDOT responded to this location and posted “Water on Road” warning signs for both directions, prior to the area of standing water. 

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact Corporal/1 R. Albert by calling 302-703-3266 . Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.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 unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 081821 0930

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