Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit are investigating a shots fired incident that occurred on the Jack Markell Trail in New Castle early Friday morning.

On September 26, 2025, at approximately 12:00 a.m., troopers responded to the Jack Markell Trail, in the area of Robinson Drive and West Minuit Drive, New Castle, for a report of shots fired. Upon arriving, troopers, with assistance of New Castle County Police Department, located spent shell casings on the trail behind a residence on Robinson Drive. The preliminary investigation revealed that after the shots were heard, an unknown person was seen riding eastbound on the trail, away from the area, on a motorbike.

There are no reported injuries or other property damage at this time. There is no further information available for the suspect(s) at this time. Surveillance video and images are not available.

The Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or has information regarding this case to contact Detective J. Lucyk by calling 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 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 have arrested 46-year-old Omar Mendoza of New Castle, Delaware, for vehicular homicide and traffic-related charges, following a two-vehicle fatal collision that occurred Sunday morning in Bear.

On September 28, 2025, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Chevrolet Malibu was traveling eastbound on US Route 40 near Fir Avenue. At the same time a Suzuki motorcycle was traveling westbound on US Route 40, in the right lane, near Fir Avenue. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Chevrolet entered the cross-over for Fir Avenue, failed to stop at the stop sign, then drove diagonally in the wrong direction across the westbound lanes of US Route 40. As a result, the front of the motorcycle collided with the front of the Chevrolet, causing the motorcycle riders to be ejected.

The passenger of the Suzuki, a 44-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified.

The operator of the Suzuki, a 36-year-old man from Bear, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Omar Mendoza, was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The road was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

After being released from the hospital, Mendoza was taken to Troop 2 and charged with the crimes listed below. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $10,250 cash bond.

• Vehicular Homicide Second Degree (Felony)
• Driving Without a Valid License
• Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign
• Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway
• Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device

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 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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 27-year-old Ivory Brown of Harrington, Delaware, for vehicular assault, DUI, and related charges following a single-vehicle crash that occurred last night in Greenwood.

On September 26, 2025, at approximately 11:21 p.m., troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on the 6500 block of Hickman Road in Greenwood. When troopers arrived, they contacted Ivory Brown, identified as the driver of a Ford Edge, involved in the crash. While speaking to him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverages and observed other signs of impairment. Brown was treated by EMS but refused transport to the hospital. After Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, he was taken into custody without incident.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the Ford was traveling on Hickman Road near Woodbridge Road, exited the roadway, entered a ditch, and overturned an unknown number of times. As a result, two of the five passengers in the car were ejected.

Two passengers in the car, a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from Milford, Delaware, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The other passengers, two 19-year-old men, and a 6-year-old child, were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Brown was taken to Troop 5, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $10,402 secured bond.

• Vehicular Assault First Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligent Injury (Felony) – 2 counts
• Vehicular Assault Second Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligence Causes Injury – 3 counts
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child While Driving Under the Influence
• Driving Under the Influence
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Other Traffic Offenses

Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Jayden Waters of Delmar, Maryland, for vehicular assault, DUI, and related traffic charges following a two-vehicle head-on crash that occurred last night in Greenwood.

On September 26, 2025, at approximately 11:05 p.m., troopers responded to a two-vehicle, head-on crash on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road in Greenwood. When troopers arrived, they contacted Jayden Waters, identified as the driver of a GMC pick-up truck, involved in the crash. While speaking to him, troopers smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that the GMC pick-up was traveling westbound on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road, attempting to pass two tractor-trailers. At the same time, a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling eastbound on Seashore Highway near Adamsville Road. As a result, the GMC struck the Tahoe head-on.

The driver of the Tahoe, a 43-year-old man from Georgetown, Delaware, and a 13-year-old passenger, were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Another passenger, a 4o-year old woman, also from Georgetown, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released. Two children in the Tahoe were not injured.

Waters was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

After being released from the hospital, Waters was arrested and taken to Troop 5. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released after posting a $4,501 secured bond.

• Vehicular Assault First Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligent Injury (Felony)
• Vehicular Assault Second Degree – Driving Under the Influence Negligence Causes Injury
• Driving By a Person Under 21 After Consumption of Alcohol
• Unsafe Passing on the Left

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) 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 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Note: Some of the individuals listed below are also homeless. Their profiles will not be duplicated in the separate homeless sex offender news release, as their wanted status is already reflected here and within their public sex offender registry listing.

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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 45-year-old James Gustafson, Jr. of Dagsboro, Delaware, for home improvement fraud.

Beginning in November 2024, troopers began investigating James Gustafson, Jr., for home improvement fraud. During the investigation, troopers learned that Gustafson had signed a contract with the 60-year-old victim to do construction work and received $30,000 in payment. Gustafson never completed the work and the victim’s money was not reimbursed. A warrant was obtained for his arrest.

On September 24, 2025, Gustafson was arrested by Ocean View Police Department and turned over to troopers. He was charged with the crime listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on his own recognizance.

• Home Improvement Fraud by False Pretense – $1,500 or Greater (Felony)

Troopers are asking anyone who may have been defrauded by Gustafson in a similar manner to please contact Troop 4 Financial Crimes at 302-856-5850. 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 have arrested 36-year-old Robert Young, Jr. of Dover, Delaware, for burglary and related charges.

On September 17, 2025, at approximately 7:57 a.m., troopers responded to Woodside Liquor Warehouse, located at 5504 South Dupont Highway in Dover, for a report of a burglary. When troopers arrived, they learned that during the overnight hours, an unknown suspect forced entry through a window and removed several bottles of liquor. During the investigation, detectives learned of a burglary, similar in nature, that occurred in the City of Dover on September 18^th. State Police Detectives, working with Dover Police Department Detectives, identified Robert Young, Jr. as the suspect in the burglary and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On September 24, 2025, Young was arrested at Sussex Correctional Institution. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on his own recognizance, however, remains committed at Sussex Correctional Institution on the other burglary charges.

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of Burglar Tools or Instruments (Felony)
• Theft under $1,500
• Criminal Mischief under $1,500

Delaware State Police arrested 35-year-old Taamir Smith of New Castle for felony assault in connection with a stabbing at Amazon last month.

On August 28, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., troopers responded to the Amazon delivery center located at 2421 Bear Corbitt Road for a reported stabbing. When troopers arrived, they found a 23-year-old man who had suffered multiple stab wounds. Troopers provided first aid until emergency medical services arrived and transported the victim to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Through investigative leads, detectives identified Smith as the suspect responsible for the assault and obtained an arrest warrant. On September 23, 2025, members of the Delaware State Police and U.S. Marshals located Smith in the area of 24^th Street in Wilmington. He was taken into custody and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $200,000 cash bond.

• Assault First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)

Delaware State Police arrested 52-year-old Salvatore Rothwell of Wilmington for his fifth offense DUI following a traffic stop late Tuesday night.

On September 23, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., a trooper observed a GMC Envoy traveling northbound on North Dupont Highway (US 13) near I-495. The vehicle was swerving across the roadway and nearly struck another car. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, and the Envoy traveled a short distance before coming to a stop.

When the trooper contacted the driver, later identified as Rothwell, he was slouched over in the driver’s seat with bloodshot eyes and showed additional signs of impairment.  Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered, during which Rothwell continued to display signs of impairment.

Rothwell was taken into custody and transported to Troop 2. A computer inquiry revealed that he has four prior DUI-related convictions. He was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $7,050 secured bond.

• 5^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Failure to Have Required Insurance
• Driving in Proper Lane and Direction