Wilmington – The Delaware State Police are investigating a shots fired incident that occurred at approximately 7:44 p.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2018 on the property of A.I. DuPont H.S., located at 50 Hillside Rd., Wilmington.

A basketball game had just concluded when bystanders who were still in the parking lot, reported that they heard gunfire. Upon being notified, Troopers who were already on site as part of the regularly scheduled security detail for the game, immediately secured the building and then responded to investigate.

After a search of the school property was conducted and deemed safe, those who had been secured inside the building were able to leave. No victims have been located at this time and no suspects are in custody.

The investigation is ongoing with further details being released as they become available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective H. Carroll at Troop 2 by calling 302-365-8467.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121818 2130

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Harrington- The Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to identify the pictured vehicle that was involved in a fatal pedestrian hit and run crash.

The crash occurred on Friday, December 14, 2018 at approximately 9:38 p.m. when a pedestrian, a 53-year-old Harrington man was crossing U.S. 13 (S. DuPont Hwy.) from west to east, just south of the intersection with Corn Crib Road. The pedestrian successfully crossed the southbound lanes of U.S. 13 but while in the northbound right lane he was struck by an unknown vehicle which was traveling northbound. The pedestrian was thrown to the pavement coming to rest on the shoulder of U.S. 13. The vehicle did not stop and fled the scene.

Pictures from business surveillance videos were obtained.  The suspect’s vehicle is believed to be a Jeep, possibly an older Cherokee, Commander, or a 4-door Wrangler with a hard top. The suspect’s vehicle appears to be light in color with black trim near the bottom.  The vehicle should have damage to the right front fender, missing an amber/orange right side marker lens, and possible scratches and/or damage to its right side. Although the crash occurred at S. DuPont Highway at Corn Crib Road intersection, the suspect’s vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on SR 14 (Milford-Harrington Highway) Milford.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident or the pictured fleeing vehicle are asked to contact Sgt. J. Wheatley of the Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-698-8518. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2018/12/15/troopers-investigating-fatal-hit-run-crash-involving-pedestrian-harrington/

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2018/12/17/update-name-released-fatal-hit-run-crash-involving-pedestrian-harrington/

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 121818 1357

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Laurel- The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a truck stop last evening.

The incident occurred on Monday, December 17, 2018 at approximately 8:32 p.m. when Troopers were dispatched to the Oasis Travel Plaza located at 30759 Sussex Highway in reference to an armed robbery. It was determined that a subject had entered the business displaying a handgun.  The suspect demanded cash from the female store clerk and proceeded to order another female patron who was in the store to the ground.

The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash prior to fleeing the scene.  The clerk and the patron were not injured as a result of this incident.

The suspect was described as a black male wearing a dark colored shirt, jeans and a mask covering a portion of his face.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Troop 4, Major Crimes Unit, Detective K. Archer at 302-752-3791.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released:121818 1123

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Bryheen MITCHELL

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have arrested Bryheen J. Mitchell, 32 of New Castle and Briante Lewis, 18 of Newark, in connection with the robbery of a North Wilmington Rite–Aid that occurred early Sunday morning.

On Sunday, December 16, 2018 at approximately 3:48 a.m., Troopers responded to the Rite-Aid pharmacy located at 1718 Marsh Rd., Wilmington, in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. Upon arriving on scene it was learned that a male suspect, later identified as Mitchell, presented a note to the cashier demanding money from the register. Mitchell then placed his hand inside his jacket, implying he had a weapon and threatened to shoot the cashier if they didn’t comply. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, Mitchell fled in an unknown direction.

Troopers were able to determine that a black Chrysler Sebring with Delaware tags was a possible suspect vehicle and immediately began searching the area. At approximately 4:00 a.m., a vehicle matching that description was located in the area of Miller Rd. and W. 34^th St. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and upon the vehicle coming to a stop, Mitchell, who was a front seat passenger, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Mitchell was located hiding in the area and was taken in to custody without incident. At the time of his apprehension, Mitchell was wearing clothing described by the cashier and evidence was located on his person, further linking him to the robbery.

The driver of the vehicle, who initially gave a false name, was later identified as Lewis, remained in the vehicle and was taken in to custody without incident.

Both subjects were transported to Troop 2 where they were each charged with Robbery 2^nd Degree and Conspiracy 2^nd Degree.

Additionally, Mitchell was charged with one count each of Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony and Resisting Arrest. Lewis had an additional charge of Criminal Impersonation.

Mitchell was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and then committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $15,000.00 secured bail.

Lewis was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $2500.00 unsecured bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective T. Dukes of the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8412.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121718 1435

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Dover – The Delaware State Police are issuing the following advisory in response to a recent phone scam involving a “spoofed phone number”.

The Delaware State Police were made aware of two incidents in which individuals received a phone call from a female claiming to be an Agent from Dover, Delaware.  The caller identified herself as Agent Lisa Smith and provided a badge number #K4L14799.  The caller advised the victims that an abandoned vehicle was found in Texas with their name and social security number.  The caller then provided the victims with several addresses and asked them to confirm where they have resided in the past.   The caller suggested to the victims to look up the phone number in which she was calling from so that the victims would see that it is in fact a Delaware State Police issued phone number.   The caller advised the victims that if they did not provide her with the information she was seeking, she would send the police to their residence immediately.

Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.

The Federal Communications Commissions has provided the following tips to avoid spoofing scams:

You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information.

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately.
• If you answer the phone and the caller – or a recording – asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
• Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.”
• Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
• If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request.  You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.
• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
• If you have a voice mail account with your phone service, be sure to set a password for it. Some voicemail services are preset to allow access if you call in from your own phone number. A hacker could spoof your home phone number and gain access to your voice mail if you do not set a password.
• Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools they may have and check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block unwanted calls. Information on available robocall blocking tools is available at fcc.gov/robocalls.

This information was provided through the Federal Communications Commissions website located at:

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id

Many of these scams are difficult to investigate. They will target persons of all age groups.  The Delaware State Police is asking citizens to remember the tips previously mentioned in order to not become a victim of one of these scam artists.

If you suspect you have been a victim of this scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 1217618 1407

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Harrington- The Delaware State Police have identified the name of the pedestrian who was killed in a hit and run crash on Friday, December 14, 2018 on U.S. 13 (S. DuPont Hwy) south of Corn Crib Road as 53-year-old Rickey D. Honeycutt from Harrington, DE.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident or the fleeing vehicle are asked to contact Sgt. J. Wheatley of the Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-698-8518. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

https://dsp.delaware.gov/2018/12/15/troopers-investigating-fatal-hit-run-crash-involving-pedestrian-harrington/

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 121718 0843

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Lewes – The Delaware State Police have arrested Steven Huey, 17, of Bridgeville and Collin Ritchie, 17, of Lewes in connection with a rash criminal mischief incidents in which vehicles and residences throughout the Lewes/Milton area were damaged by BB’s.

Between Saturday, December 1 and Saturday, December 8, 2018 Troopers investigated 19 separate criminal mischief incidents that took place in the developments of Henlopen Landing, Edgewater Estates, Sussex West and Seawood Estates. The property damaged included both vehicles and residences, with a preliminary damage total in excess of $10,000.00. The only investigative lead obtained from the initial investigations was that a small, black vehicle with tinted windows was involved.

During the course of the investigation Troopers were able to determine that a shoplifting incident, occurred on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Walmart located at 18922 Rehoboth Mall Blvd., in which a BB gun had been stolen. This incident had gone undetected at the time of the original occurrence therefore it had not reported. Evidence obtained during the subsequent investigation was able to positively identified Huey as the suspect responsible for the shoplifting.

Through further investigation Troopers were able to positively link Huey to the criminal mischief incidents, as well as developing Ritchie as a second suspect. It was also determined that the suspect vehicle involved in the incidents belonged to Ritchie. A subsequent search of Ritchie’s vehicle produced assorted BB’s along with a cylinder from a revolver style BB gun.

On Friday, December 14, 2018 both Huey and Ritchie were taken in to custody without incident at Troop 7 where they were each charged with 19 counts of Criminal Mischief and 19 counts of Conspiracy 3^rd Degree.

Both subjects were arraigned in Sussex County Family Court and then released to their respective guardians pending a future court appearance.

In addition to the incidents that occurred in state police jurisdiction Huey and Ritchie were also positively linked to similar incidents that occurred in the development of Shipbuilders Village, which are being investigated by the Milton Police Department.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding these incidents are asked to call Troop 7 at 302-703-3290.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121618 1100

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L-R: Delaware Crime Stoppers Exec. Dir. Robert Mooney (DSP Ret.), Maj. Melissa Zebley, Sgt. J. Paul Doherty, Michael Lawson (WPD Ret.)

Dover – Delaware State Police Sgt. J. Paul Doherty received the Robert J. Seinsoth Memorial Award as the 2018 Delaware Crimestoppers Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, at a Chiefs of Police Council ceremony held on Tuesday, December 11 at Dover Downs.

Sgt. Doherty was nominated and subsequently chosen as the award recipient based on his investigation into a robbery/sexual assault while assigned as a detective in the Troop Robbery Unit, which ultimately led to the arrest of a serial rapist.

In May of 2017, then Detective Doherty, began investigating a robbery that took place at a New Castle area 7-Eleven convenience store, in which the victim was sexually assaulted. During the course of the investigation Detective Doherty obtained information regarding a similar incident that took place in W. Goshen Township, PA where a suspect by the name of Kwesi Hudson was apprehended.

In addition to his own investigation, and due to collaborative intra-agency information sharing, Detective Doherty was also aware of a serial kidnapping investigation being conducted by the New Castle County Police Department. This investigation was in regards to three kidnapping incidents that occurred in February and March of 2017 and involved the suspect kidnapping the female victims from northern New Castle County apartment complex’s, sexually and physically assaulting them and then forcing them to withdraw money from ATM’s.

Based on unique similarities between all three agencies investigations, Detective Doherty passed on the information about Kwesi Hudson to the New Castle County detectives, which ultimately resulted in Hudson being charged for all three kidnapping incidents.

Detective Sgt. Andrew Lloyd of the Troop 2 Robbery Unit, who was Detective Doherty’s supervisor at the time of the investigation, included this statement in his award nomination letter:

“The rape and robbery of multiple women in New Castle County was a random, unique crime trend of exceptional nature, that does not occur on a regular basis. Detective Doherty, as described above, was relentless in his pursuit of justice for his 7-Eleven victim. During the course of law enforcement’s pursuit they were able to identify, implicate and ultimately bring to justice a serial rapist who greatly impacted the citizens of New Castle County during the winter of 2017”

Sgt. Doherty a 14 year veteran of the Delaware State Police, was a Detective with the rank of Corporal at the time of the investigation. He has since been promoted and now serves as a Patrol Supervisor assigned to Troop 2.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121618 1025

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Dover– The following are not wanted. These are Homeless Sex Offender Public Notifications. If you have information that any of the listed subjects are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121518 1525

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Dover, DE- 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 their current address. If anyone knows the location of these subjects, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com/

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:121518 1525

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