Edited November 14, 2025| 9:10 p.m.

The Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), announces that the Permit to Purchase online application portal is now live. Delaware residents who plan to purchase or transfer a handgun on or after November 16, 2025, must first obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit.

Applicants can begin the process by reviewing the requirements on the Permit to Purchase website. When ready, they may submit the online application through the Permit to Purchase Portal.

How to Apply

1. Complete a firearms training course with a certified instructor. Training courses that satisfy the requirements of the 11 Del C. § 1448D offered by instructors who are not on the pre-approved list may also satisfy the statutory requirements. To find out if a course qualifies in advance of enrollment or whether a specific completed course qualifies, please contact the Permit to Purchase helpline at (302) 741-2800 during business hours or email DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov.
2. Schedule fingerprinting with IdentoGO using Service Code 27S8N2.
3. Submit the online application through the Permit to Purchase Application Portal and upload the required documents.

Required documents include:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Military orders, if applicable
• Firearms Training Course Certification or proof of exemption

Individuals who hold a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license issued by the Superior Court are not required to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit.

If You Do Not Have Internet Access

Paper applications are available at all Delaware State Police troops. Completed paper applications must be submitted in person at the SBI Dover location for processing. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.

Decision Timeline

By law, SBI will issue a decision within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Applications submitted without all required steps will not be processed. Applicants will be notified of any missing items and may resubmit once requirements are met. If a legal disqualifier exists under state or federal law, the decision will be a written denial.

Training and Instructor List

A list of pre-approved firearms instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as instructors are pre-approved. Training courses that satisfy the requirements of the statute offered by instructors who are not on the pre-approved list may also satisfy the statutory requirements. To find out if a course qualifies in advance of enrollment or whether a specific completed course qualifies, please contact the Permit to Purchase helpline at (302) 741-2800 during business hours or email DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. If you submit a course certificate with your application that does not clearly satisfy the statutory requirements, the Permit to Purchase Office will contact you and/or the course provider to obtain additional information to determine if it meets the requirements.

Exemptions

Exemptions to the training requirement are outlined in Delaware law.

For program updates and detailed instructions, visit the Permit to Purchase website. Application-related correspondence is handled through DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ward, of Elkton, Maryland, for burglary and related charges in connection with multiple burglaries of a business in Newark.

After troopers responded to multiple reports of burglary at United Lines Construction Services (ULCS), located at 2113 Ogletown Road in Newark, Delaware, State Police Troop 2 Property Crimes detectives assumed the investigation and learned the following:

Between September 30, 2025, and October 2, 2025, an unknown suspect cut a hole in ULCS’ fence, entered the property, and stole approximately $5,000 worth of copper wire from three storage containers. During the incident, the suspect caused approximately $500 in property damage to the business.

On October 9, 2025, an unknown suspect cut another hole in ULCS’ fence and stole approximately $23,400 worth of copper wire and street lighting equipment from three locked storage containers. During this incident, the suspect caused approximately $1,045 in property damage to the business.

Between October 15, 2025, and October 16, 2025, an unknown suspect, with a similar appearance from the 10/09/25 incident, returned to the business and cut another hole in the fence. The suspect stole approximately $15,000 worth of copper wire and caused $500 worth of damage.

On October 21, 2025, an unknown suspect with a similar appearance returned to ULCS and stole approximately $450 worth of copper wire. No property damage was reported during this incident.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Matthew Ward as the suspect from all four incidents. On October 23, 2025, detectives located Ward in Newark and took him into custody without incident.

Ward was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $6,800 unsecured bond.

• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 6 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft Under $1,500
• Criminal Mischief – 3 counts
• Criminal Trespass Second Degree – 4 counts

Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Datahj Smith, of Dover, Delaware, for DUI and drug offenses following a pursuit in Claymont on Thursday morning.

On October 23, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., a trooper patrolling on I-95 near Harvey Road in Claymont saw a Volkswagen Jetta commit multiple traffic violations. The trooper stopped the Jetta and contacted the driver, later identified as Datahj Smith, who also showed signs of impairment. Smith provided a false name to the trooper. When the trooper asked Smith to exit the vehicle, he fled northbound on I-95.

Troopers pursued Smith as he exited I-95, before turning onto Naamans Road. During the pursuit, the Jetta drove at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner on several roads and streets near Naamans Road. Troopers successfully stopped the Jetta on Naamans Road, near Concord Pike, and took Smith into custody without further incident. A subsequent search of the Jetta led to the discovery of approximately 53.5 grams of suspected phencyclidine (PCP) and approximately .27 grams of suspected heroin.

Smith was taken to Troop 1 where he was administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $28,114 cash bond.

• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Criminal Impersonation
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence
• Multiple traffic offenses

Delaware State Police have identified 73-year-old Gary Cooney, of Millsboro, Delaware, as the man who died from injuries sustained in a fatal crash Friday morning in Millsboro.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday morning in Millsboro.

On October 24, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a Mazda CX-5 was stopped in the westbound lane on Millsboro Highway, west of Mumford Road, waiting to turn left into a private driveway. An Oldsmobile Ciera was traveling westbound behind the Mazda. For reasons still under investigation, the Oldsmobile attempted to pass the Mazda on the left as the Mazda began turning into the driveway. The Oldsmobile swerved left to avoid a collision, exited the south edge of the roadway, and struck two garbage receptacles before crashing into the left side of the Mazda. That impact forced the Mazda into a standing tree.

The driver of the Mazda, a 69-year-old woman from Millsboro, Delaware, was wearing a seatbelt. She was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. Her passenger, a 73-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was also wearing a seatbelt and was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. On October 25, 2025, he died from injuries sustained in the crash. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Oldsmobile, a 34-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 2 hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway.

The investigation is ongoing. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal R. Albert at (302) 703-3266. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday evening in New Castle.

On October 24, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a warehouse complex parking lot located in the 2400 block of Bear Corbitt Road for a reported robbery. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 25-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, had arranged to sell a pair of Apple AirPods and an Apple iWatch to an unknown man after communicating with him by text message. The two agreed to meet in the warehouse parking lot.

When the suspect arrived in a dark-colored SUV, he exited the passenger side of the vehicle and attempted to take the items from the victim forcibly. During the struggle, the suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun and struck the victim several times in the back of the head. The suspect then returned to the vehicle without the items and fled the scene.

Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, and the victim was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as a black male approximately 24-25 years of age, around 5’7″ tall, with curly black hair, and an unshaven face. He was wearing dark clothing.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information is asked to contact Det. J. Dempsey at (302) 365-8472. 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.

Delaware State Police arrested 39-year-old Bradley Buchman of Dover, Delaware, following a welfare check Wednesday afternoon that led to the discovery of suspected drugs.

On October 22, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., troopers were conducting a follow-up on an unrelated investigation at a residence in the 4000 block of Forrest Avenue. While there, they observed a man slumped over and snoring in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck parked in the driveway with the driver’s door open.

Troopers approached the vehicle to check on the man’s welfare. While attempting to wake him, troopers observed a blue wax bag, consistent with heroin packaging, in plain view on the center console. Once the man woke up, he was identified as Buchman. He was then removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident.

A search of Buchman revealed approximately 33 blue wax bags containing a total of approximately .99 grams of suspected heroin and two bags containing approximately 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia and an object that appeared to be a handmade explosive device.

The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene and determined that the object was an improvised explosive device.

Buchman was transported to Troop 3, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $4,000 unsecured bond for the drug-related charges.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office also charged Buchman with one count of Possession of an Explosive Device (Felony).  He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $5,000 cash bond for that charge at the time.

Delaware State Police arrested 61-year-old Oscar Johnson of Salisbury, Maryland, on felony DUI and drug charges following a traffic stop late Wednesday night.

On October 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a trooper observed a BMW with Maryland registration speeding on Delmar Road. The vehicle failed to maintain its lane, crossing onto the shoulder and into the grass. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as Oscar Johnson, who showed signs of impairment and emitted a strong odor of alcoholic beverages.

While troopers conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Johnson displayed additional signs of impairment. During the traffic stop, troopers observed him attempting to kick a clear plastic bag under his vehicle. The bag was recovered and found to contain a white, rock-like substance consistent with crack cocaine. Troopers also located a pill bottle containing a white powdery substance.

Johnson was taken into custody and transported to Troop 5, where the substances tested positive for cocaine with a combined weight of approximately 105 grams. A computer inquiry revealed that Johnson had two prior DUI-related convictions. A blood search warrant was obtained, and he was subsequently charged with the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• 3^rd Offense DUI (Felony)
• Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Driving without a Valid License
• Multiple Traffic Offenses

Johnson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,106 secured bond at the time.

Delaware State Police have identified 54-year-old Wanda Montalvo, of Wilmington, Delaware, as the woman who died in the fatal crash in Newark on Thursday.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. 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 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 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.