Delaware State Police arrested 38-year-old Vernon Hines, of Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with an organized retail theft incident which occurred mid-October at Dick’s House of Sport in Wilmington.

On October 13, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a theft in progress at Dick’s House of Sport, located at 1000 Brandywine Parkway, in Wilmington. Store employees reported that three suspects had stolen an estimated $2,500 worth of merchandise and fled the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu bearing a Delaware temporary registration tag. Responding troopers located a vehicle matching that description traveling southbound on Concord Pike, near I-95. When troopers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled into the City of Wilmington, committing multiple traffic violations in an attempt to evade capture.

The suspect vehicle was located moments later near E. 28th Street and Jessup Street. Troopers observed the suspects running from the Malibu while carrying stolen merchandise. Kerryn Vinson and Taysha Bultran were apprehended, however an unknown black male suspect remained at-large.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Vernon Hines as the remaining suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On October 28, 2025, Hines was arrested without incident in Wilmington. He was taken to Troop 1 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $4,000 secured bond.

• Theft Organized Retail Crime (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police arrested 27-year-old Najee Chambers, from Middletown, Delaware, for assault after investigating a reported robbery that occurred last week 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 what was originally reported to be a robbery. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 25-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, had arranged to sell Apple products 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. The victim was taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

• Assault First Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police have arrested a 16-year-old male from Wyoming, Delaware, for felony gun and related charges following a traffic stop in Wyoming Tuesday night.

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 8:50 p.m., a trooper saw a motorized scooter, with no light, traveling on Layton Avenue near Broad Street in Wyoming. The trooper pulled the scooter over, and spoke to the driver, identified as a 16-year-old male. While talking to the teenager, the trooper saw a rectangular shaped object near his waistband, and after the trooper asked the teenager if he had anything on him, he ran away. After a short foot pursuit, the teenager was taken into custody without incident. During a search of the teen, the trooper found a loaded Polymer 80 9mm handgun, with no serial number, in his waistband.

The teenager was taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $21,200 secured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammunition for a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon – Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of an Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Unlawful Operation of a Motorized Skateboard or Scooter on a Public Highway, Streets, Sidewalks, or Right of Way

Delaware State Police have arrested 21-year-old Wah’kee Tabron, from Newark, Delaware, and a 16-year-old male, from Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with an armed robbery that occurred mid-October at a Motel 6 in Newark.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., troopers responded to Motel 6, located at 100 McIntosh Plaza in Newark, for a report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that a woman met a man online and agreed to meet at Motel 6. When the man arrived, a second man approached moments later, armed with a handgun. The suspects demanded the victim’s money and property then fled. No injuries were reported.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Wah’kee Tabron and a 16-year-old male as the suspects during the incident and obtained warrants for their arrest.

On October 24, 2025, Tabron, who was already in custody at the Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI), was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and remained at SCI on a $32,000 secured bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

On October 24, 2025, the 16-year-old male, who was already in custody at the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF), was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court, and remained at DSCYF on a $15,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday in Lincoln.

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., troopers responded to the 21000 block of Hackney Circle in Lincoln for a report of a residence that was struck by gunfire. The preliminary investigation revealed that the unoccupied residence was struck by gunfire sometime during the day while the homeowner was away. No one was injured.

Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who has relevant information to contact Detective C. Simpson by calling (302) 752-3855. 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 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.