The Delaware State Police (DSP) is proud to announce that it is the first state police agency in the country to successfully complete the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Trust Building Campaign.

The Trust Building Campaign is an initiative created by the IACP, the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, to build trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve. By joining the campaign, agencies pledge to adopt 25 key policies and best practices aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and community engagement over a 36-month period.

Under the leadership of Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, the agency committed to the IACP Trust Building Campaign to strengthen DSP’s long-standing dedication to integrity, professionalism, and public service.

“Our mission has always centered on service and accountability,” said Colonel William D. Crotty. “Completing the Trust Building Campaign reaffirms that commitment by ensuring our policies and practices align with the values of our communities.”

DSP completed all 25 key practices ahead of schedule, emphasizing six vital areas of modern policing: bias-free policing, use of force, leadership and culture, recruitment and retention, victim services, and community relations. Through this effort, the agency improved its employee wellness programs, expanded its victim services outreach, and increased opportunities for community involvement and feedback.

“Without trust and transparency, police cannot effectively interact with their communities, carry out investigations, or prevent crimes,” said David Rausch, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “The IACP is encouraged by the steps agencies like the Delaware State Police are taking in their own jurisdictions that demonstrate their commitment to community-oriented policing, which elevates the profession as a whole.”

The DSP received official recognition and a certificate of completion from the IACP, indicating that it has fulfilled all campaign requirements and shown measurable progress in promoting trust and transparency.

For more information about the IACP Trust Building Campaign, visit https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign.

Delaware State Police arrested 35-year-old Benjamin Rife, from Wilmington, Delaware, for a 5th offense felony DUI in Winterthur.

On November 1, 2025, at approximately 4:20 a.m., troopers responded to the Winterthur Museum, located at 5105 Kennett Pike, in Winterthur, after a museum public safety officer reported a suspicious person near the property. When troopers arrived, they observed that a Nissan Altima had driven off the roadway and was stuck in the grass.

Troopers contacted the driver, identified as Benjamin Rife, who showed signs of impairment. Rife refused to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and was arrested without incident. A computer inquiry showed Rife had four prior DUI-related convictions.

Rife was taken to Troop 1 where a blood search warrant was obtained. Rife was charged with the below listed offense, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $10,000 cash bond.

• 5th Offense DUI (Felony)

Delaware State Police are investigating a shots fired complaint stemming from a road rage incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in Dover.

On November 1, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., troopers responded to the area of North Dupont Highway, near Fork Branch Road, for a report of shots fired. The preliminary investigation revealed that as the victim was traveling southbound on North Dupont Highway, approaching Fork Branch Road, she drove around a slower moving pickup truck. While the victim was waiting at the red light on North Dupont Highway, at Fork Branch Road, the pickup truck stopped on the shoulder next to her. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the pickup truck fired a single shot, striking the victim’s vehicle, then fled. The victim, a 56-year-old woman from Dover, Delaware, was not injured.

The fleeing vehicle was described as a dark colored pickup truck, pulling a trailer, which possibly displayed a Delaware registration plate on the trailer. The driver was described as a white male, with a slim build and facial hair, wearing a baseball hat.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact Detective S. Heitzman at (302) 698-8555. 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 identified 64-year-old Lorenza Bailey Jr., of Milford, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash on Friday in Harrington.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant J. Wilson at (302) 698-8518. 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 shots fired incident that occurred at a VFW Post in Seaford last night.

On October 31, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., troopers responded to the VFW Virgil Wilson Post, located at 9767 Middleford Road, in Seaford, for a report of shots fired. The preliminary investigation revealed that at the conclusion of an event, a fight occurred between several people in the parking lot. Moments later, multiple gun shots were heard in the area. No injuries were reported as result of the gun shots.

The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone with relevant information to contact Detective H. Lingo at (302) 752-3864. 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 two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred last night in Harrington.

On October 31, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a Ford Fusion was traveling northbound on South Dupont Highway and entered a center crossover, preparing to turn left onto Tower Hill Road. At the same time, an Infiniti G37 was traveling southbound in the right lane on South Dupont Highway, approaching Tower Hill Road. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford crossed in front of the Infiniti and as a result, the front of the Infiniti struck the right side of the Ford. The impact caused the Ford to exit the west edge of the roadway and strike a utility pole.

The driver of the Ford, a 64-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Infiniti, a 19-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 4.5 hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant J. Wilson at (302) 698-8518. 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.

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 Delaware State Police have arrested 34-year-old Amanda Seward, and 40-year-old Brian Truitt, both of Millsboro, Delaware, for felony drug and related charges following a Probation and Parole search yesterday in Millsboro.

On October 30, 2025, at approximately 3:45 p.m., the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force was requested by Probation & Parole after they conducted an administrative search at probationer Amanda Seward’s residence on the 28000 block of Godwin Street in Millsboro. During the search of the residence, probation officers found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and suspected drug money. Seward and Truitt were detained without incident.

A search of the residence, along with Seward and Truitt, led to the discovery of the following items:

• Approximately 23.77 grams of methamphetamines
• 3 acetaminophen and hydrocodone bitartrate pills
• 3 fentanyl test strips, 3 xylazine drug test kits, and 1 medetomidine test strip
• Digital scales
• Drug paraphernalia
• $621.00 in suspected drug proceeds

Seward was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released on a $27,800 unsecured bond. Seward was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution for probation violations.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 3 counts

Truitt was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and released on a $28,800 unsecured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 3 counts

Delaware State Police obtained an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Francisco Mendez-Peralta, from Chestertown, Maryland, in connection with a fatal crash that occurred last night in Middletown.

On October 30, 2025, at approximately 7:50 p.m., an E-Bike was traveling in the northbound lane or right shoulder of Middletown Warwick Road, approximately one mile north of Strawberry Lane. At the same time, a Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on Middletown Warwick Road, approaching the E-Bike. For reasons still under investigation, the front of the Chevrolet struck the E-Bike, ejecting its rider onto the roadway. The Chevrolet fled the scene.

The E-Bike rider, a 62-year-old man from Middletown, Delaware, was flown by the Delaware State Police Aviation Section to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the roadway.

The Middletown Police Department discovered the Chevrolet on nearby surveillance video. Through investigative means and with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, the Chevrolet Equinox was located in a public alleyway, near a residence, in Chestertown, Maryland. Troopers located and identified the Chevrolet’s driver as Francisco Mendez-Peralta.

Mendez-Peralta was taken into custody in Maryland. Upon his transfer to Delaware, he will be charged with the following offenses:

• Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)
• Cars Involved in Death Remain at Scene for the Arrival of Police (Felony)
• Failure to Report a Collision Resulting in Death (Felony)

The investigation is ongoing. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage 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.