The Delaware State Police is investigating an armed robbery that occurred early Monday morning at a convenience store in Townsend.

On September 21, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., troopers responded to the Shore Stop located a 4235 Dupont Parkway for a report of an armed robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed a masked suspect entered the business and displayed a firearm. The suspect removed cash and merchandise before fleeing the scene.

No one was injured during the incident.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who witnessed the event or has information relevant to the case to contact Detective J. Lucyk at (302) 365-8446. 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 arrested 39-year-old Nolan Lewis, of New Castle, Delaware, on felony assault and related charges after he injured two troopers during a traffic stop Saturday evening in New Castle.

On September 19, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., troopers were patrolling North Dupont Highway near Hessler Boulevard when they saw a Mitsubishi Lancer without a registration plate displayed. The troopers conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as Lewis.

During the traffic stop, troopers determined that the Mitsubishi was unregistered and did not have insurance coverage. They also discovered that Lewis had multiple active capiases issued by various Delaware courts.

As the troopers attempted to take Lewis into custody, he resisted arrest and fought with the troopers. During the struggle, Lewis damaged the trooper’s personal property as well as Delaware State Police property. Troopers took Lewis into custody and placed him inside a police vehicle, but he continued kicking and damaged the vehicle.

Troopers subsequently searched the Mitsubishi and recovered a large knife concealed inside the vehicle.

Two troopers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the struggle and were treated and released at the scene. Lewis was taken to an area hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries he sustained during the incident.

After being discharged from the hospital, Lewis was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $7,000 secured bond in addition to the capiases.

• Assault Second Degree Physical Injury to Law Enforcement Officer (Felony) – 2 counts
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence that Injures or Struggles with Peace Officer Causing Injury (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief Over $1000 Recklessly Damage Property
• Multiple Traffic Offenses

The Delaware State Police identified 39-year-old Santos Maria Chilel Soto, from Georgetown, Delaware, as the woman who was fatally shot Friday evening in Ellendale.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case. Detectives ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Detective M. Csapo  by calling (302) 741-2729. 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 arrested 55-year-old John Baker, of Bridgeville, Delaware, on felony firearm and related offenses after he illegally entered a barn and threatened two victims with a firearm late Thursday night in Felton.

On September 17, 2026, at approximately 11:40 p.m., troopers responded to the 500 block of Black Swamp Road in Felton for a report of an assault. The preliminary investigation revealed that Baker, who was described to be intoxicated, entered a barn on the property and became involved in a verbal dispute with a victim. The confrontation turned physical when Baker began assaulting the victim.

During the altercation, Baker brandished a handgun, pointed it at the victim, and threatened to kill him. A second victim entered the area, and Baker pointed the firearm at him as well. As Baker fled the barn, he fired a single shot into the air before leaving the property. The victims were not injured during the incident.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case and recovered a spent shell casing from the property.

On September 18, 2026, Baker called 9-1-1 and reported that he was located at a gas station in the 11000 block of South Dupont Highway in Felton. Troopers and detectives responded to the gas station and took Baker into custody without incident.

Through investigative efforts, detectives determined Baker gave the firearm to a friend prior to his arrest. Detectives subsequently recovered the firearm.

Baker was taken to Troop 3 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $116,600 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Burglary First Degree (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony)
• Terroristic Threatening
• Offensive Touching

The Delaware State Police arrested 74-year-old Walter Moorhead, of Salisbury, Maryland, on manslaughter and related charges after he fatally shot a woman Friday evening in Ellendale.

On September 18, 2026, at approximately 7:40 p.m., troopers responded to an open field near South Old State Road, north of East Robbins Road, for a report of a woman who had been shot. Responding troopers provided life-saving medical care before the victim was taken to an area hospital.

The victim, a 39-year-old woman from Georgetown, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.

Troopers at the scene contacted Moorhead and determined that he had fired the shot that struck the victim. Moorhead was taken into custody, and the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit took over the case.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was walking through the field with a man and two children while Moorhead was hunting deer from a ground blind. Moorhead believed he saw a deer and fired his rifle, striking the victim.

Moorhead was taken to Troop 4 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and was released after posting a $43,000 cash bond.

• Manslaughter Recklessly Caused Death of Another Person (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony) – 3 counts

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case. Detectives ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Detective M. Csapo  by calling (302) 741-2729. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police(Opens in a new window.) or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers(Opens in a new window.) 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(Opens in a new window.) 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 identified 57-year-old Nanette Snow, from Wilmington, Delaware, as the woman who died in the fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Thursday evening in New Castle.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has related video, to contact Corporal M. DiMaio by calling (302) 365-8254. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (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 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 represents only a portion of the current wanted sex offenders. Please see the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website for the complete list.

The Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Thursday evening in New Castle.

On September 17, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound in the right lane of North Dupont Highway, north of Stahl Avenue. At the same time, a pedestrian walked across the northbound lanes of travel into the path of the Toyota. As a result, the Toyota struck the pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 57-year-old woman from Wilmington, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.

The driver of the Toyota, an 18-year-old New Castle woman, was not injured.

The roadway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has related video, to contact Corporal M. DiMaio by calling (302) 365-8254. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (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 arrested 35-year-old Dushatdaman Parihar, of Manteca, California, after he and a partner used fraudulent documents to steal a high-value cargo shipment from a New Castle Warehouse Monday morning.

On September 15, 2026, troopers responded to University Plaza in Newark for a report of a cargo theft. Responding troopers spoke with the caller and learned that on September 14, 2026, at approximately 9:15 a.m., two suspects arrived in a tractor-trailer cab at the caller’s business, located in the 1100 block of River Road in New Castle. The suspects identified themselves as FedEx employees and presented driver’s licenses and shipping documents for a trailer containing more than $680,000 worth of electronics. The suspects attached the trailer to the cab and left the area.

A short time later, the shipping documents were determined to be fraudulent. The caller later located the tractor-trailer parked at University Plaza and called 9-1-1. While speaking with the caller, troopers observed one of the suspects, later identified as Parihar, walking toward the tractor-trailer.

Troopers contacted Parihar and determined that the driver’s licenses presented at the warehouse and the registration plate displayed on the tractor-trailer were fraudulent.

Parihar was taken into custody without incident and taken to Troop 2. The trailer was recovered and returned to the business with all the cargo still inside.

Parihar was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court, and committed to the Department of Correction on a $66,550 secured bond.

• Theft Where the Property Value is $100,000 or More (Felony)
• Forgery First Degree (Felony)
• Forgery Second Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree
• Fictitious Registration Plate

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this case. Detectives ask anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact Detective S. Marioni by calling (302) 365-8388. 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 identified 54-year-old Amy Sier from Mardela Springs, Maryland, as the woman who died on the two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Tuesday in Laurel.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the collision, or has related video, to contact Master Corporal J. Smith by calling (302) 703-3267. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (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.