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.

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.

Delaware State Police arrested 36-year-old Shamar Clark, of Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday for promoting prison contraband and felony drug charges. Additionally, troopers are seeking assistance in locating his coconspirators, 35-year-old Charles Chambers, of Wilmington, and 31-year-old Jalen Hubbard, of Dover, Delaware.

On July 23, 2025, Delaware State Police Troop 2 Drug Unit was notified by the Department of Correction after illegal drugs and contraband were found by correctional officers at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, located at 1181 Paddock Road in Smyrna. The investigation revealed a couch was delivered to the prison to be reupholstered by the furniture shop of Delaware Correctional Industries, a skill training and employment program operated within the facility. Correctional officers inspected the couch, smelled the odor of marijuana, and discovered the following items hidden inside of it:

• Approximately 59.60 grams of methamphetamine
• Approximately 1,625.3 grams of marijuana and THC infused edibles
• Approximately 34 sheets of suspected K2 or K3 infused papers
• Approximately 251.40 grams of gabapentin pills
• Approximately 80 suboxone strips
• 2 cell phones
• 53 USB drives

Through investigative means, detectives determined that Shamar Clark, an inmate at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, had coordinated with Charles Chambers and Jalen Hubbard to smuggle the illegal drugs and contraband into the facility. On October 7, 2025, detectives obtained arrest warrants for all three suspects.

On October 20, 2025, Clark was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and remained at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on a $64,000 secured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Chambers and Hubbard remain at-large and are wanted by the Delaware State Police for the following offenses:

• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
• Promoting Prison Contraband (Felony) – 3 counts
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

Troopers are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Charles Chambers or Jalen Hubbard to contact Troop 2 by calling (302) 834-2620. 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 20-year-old Meshech Morris, of Wilmington, Delaware, and 20-year-old Marquist Charpentier, of Lanham, Maryland, for felony offenses in connection with a stolen Dodge Charger early Monday morning.

On October 20, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., troopers were notified of a stolen Dodge Charger that was being electronically tracked to Bonwood Road in Wilmington. The Dodge had previously been reported stolen to the Maple Shade Police Department in New Jersey. Troopers learned that two suspects, later identified as Meshech Morris and Marquist Charpentier, drove to a dealership in an Infiniti Q50, stole the Dodge, then fled in both vehicles.

Upon arriving to the 1600 block of Bonwood Road, troopers saw the Infiniti, occupied by Morris and Charpentier, driving away from a parked vehicle which was concealed by a car cover. Troopers took Morris and Charpentier into custody without incident.

During a subsequent search of the Infiniti, troopers located a device used for programming universal key fobs along with a functional reprogrammed key fob. When the trooper pressed the unlock button on the found key fob, the head lights of the vehicle under the car cover turned on. The car was determined to be the stolen Dodge.

Morris was taken to Troop 6 where he was 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 $9,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Charpentier was taken to Troop 6 where he was 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 $7,000 secured bond.

• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), announces that individuals preparing to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit may now schedule fingerprint appointments with IdentoGO as part of the Permit to Purchase process.

Applicants are required to be fingerprinted as part of the background investigation conducted by SBI under the new Permit to Purchase law, which takes effect on November 16, 2025. The online application portal is anticipated to open next week, and individuals are encouraged to complete the fingerprinting and firearms safety training requirements in advance to avoid delays once it becomes available.

Fingerprinting services are available by appointment only through IdentoGO. When scheduling, applicants must use Service Code 27S8N2 to ensure their prints are appropriately routed for the Permit to Purchase process.

Appointments can be made online at https://uenroll.identogo.com.

Individuals who have not yet completed the required firearms safety training with a certified instructor should do so before submitting their application. A list of pre-approved instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are pre-approved. 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.

SBI will begin processing complete applications once the online application portal goes live. By law, SBI is required to issue or deny a permit within 30 days of the receipt of a fully complete application.

For more information about the Permit to Purchase program, including instructor certification and program requirements, visit our Permit to Purchase website and previous news releases:

Delaware State Police Announce Pre-Approval Process for Firearms Training Instructors

Delaware State Police Announce Upcoming Launch of Permit to Purchase Program

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving two school buses that occurred Thursday morning at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School in Newark.

On October 23, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., an IC 300 school bus was parked in the drop-off lane at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, located at 50 Gender Road in Newark. At the same time, a second IC 300 school bus was positioned directly behind the first bus. As the driver prepared to conduct an emergency exit drill behind the first bus, the second bus drifted forward for unknown reasons and struck her.

The bus driver, a 54-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 second bus, a 53-year-old woman from New Castle, Delaware, was not injured.

The school buses were carrying 48 students. At this time, no student injuries have been reported.

The parking lot was closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

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.