.

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 082418 1823

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Newark- The Delaware State Police are identifying  Lakshmidez Hanumanthappa, 52, from India, as the second victim who has died from injuries sustained in a crash that occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m., on Saturday, August 18, 2018, on Salem Church Road, north of Deasy Drive. Lakshmidez who was a passenger in a Toyota Camry that was involved in the crash was admitted to the Christiana Hospital on August 18, before succumbing to her injuries on August 23, 2018.

Click on the following link to view the original release:

Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash – Newark

*UPDATE-Victim Identified* Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash – Newark

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: 082418 1730

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New Castle County – A joint investigation between the Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police and City of Newport Police has resulted in the arrest of three men responsible for a string of armed robberies that took place during the first two weeks in August.

Between Thursday, August 2 and Thursday, August 16, 2018, the three agencies independently investigated a total of nine robberies, seven of which occurred at convenience stores located throughout New Castle County to include Wilmington, Newark, New Castle, Newport and Hockessin. In addition to the convenience stores the Delaware State Police also investigated robberies at a Prices Corner area bank and liquor store.

Due to the prompt sharing of intelligence information between the three agencies, investigators were able to determine that the same group of three subjects were involved in the robberies. Further investigative measures led to the positive identification of 19 year old Tyree Miller, 21 year old D’Andre Whittle and 26 year old Fabian Evans, all of Wilmington, as the subjects responsible for committing the robberies. All three subjects were able to be linked to all nine robberies except for the liquor store incident in which Evans was not involved.

Below are the dates and locations of the incidents:

• August 2: 7-Eleven, 1901 Centerville Rd., Wilmington (NCCPD)
• August 3: 7-Eleven, 200 S. Gerald Dr. Newark (NCCPD)
• August 3: 7-Eleven, 284 Christiana Rd., New Castle (DSP)
• August 5: Royal Farms, 3701 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington (DSP)
• August 5: 7-Eleven, 201 W. Market St., Newport (Newport PD)
• August 9: Wells Fargo Bank, 3215 Capitol Trail, Wilmington (DSP)
• August 14: Wawa, 605 Yorklyn Rd., Hockessin (DSP)
• August 14: 7-Eleven, 1901 Centerville Rd., Wilmington (NCCPD)
• August 16: Steve’s Liquors, 1204 Centerville Rd., Wilmington (DSP)

All three subjects were taken in to custody without incident on the below dates and charged with the following offenses. They were all subsequently committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on cash bail.

D’Andre Whittle (August 17, 2018):

• Robbery 1^st Degree (8 counts)
• Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree (3 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony (5 counts)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (9 counts)

Fabian Evans (August 21, 2018):

• Robbery 1^st Degree (6 counts)
• Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree (3 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (3 Counts)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (8 counts)

Tyree Miller (August 23, 2018):

• Robbery 1^st Degree (8 counts)
• Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree (3 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (8 counts)
• Assault 2^nd Degree
• Aggravated Menacing (6 counts)
• Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony (5 counts)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (9 counts)
• Kidnapping

Click on the following links to view related releases:

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery of Liquor Store-Wilmington

Troopers Investigating Attempted Robbery – Hockessin

Troopers Investigating Prices Corner Bank Robbery

Troopers Investigating Royal Farms Armed Robbery – Wilmington

Troopers Investigating Armed Robbery – New Castle

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: 082418 1725

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Georgetown-  The Delaware State Police have arrested a 22-year-old man on sexual assault charges.

The Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating an incident that occurred on June, 20, 2018, at approximately 6:30 p.m., at a residence in Georgetown.  A 20-year-old female reported that she was sexually assaulted.

Troopers identified 22-year-old Clay Conaway as the suspect.  On August 22, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Conaway was taken into custody without incident.

Conaway was transported back to Troop 4 on a warrant stemming from an August 20, 2018 indictment for Rape in the First Degree.  He was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $70,000.00 secured bond.

The Delaware State Police is asking anyone that has information in reference to this incident or any other possible criminal incidents involving this defendant to contact Troop 4, Major Crimes Unit, Detective D. Kristunas at 302-752-3856.

Because of the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victim, only limited information will be released.

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: 082418 1501

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Milton-  The Delaware State Police have arrested a Rehoboth Beach man after an attempted traffic stop led to an assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at approximately 4:50 p.m., when a Trooper observed a white Ford F150 driving erratically as it was traveling southbound on Hudson Road in the area of Cave Neck Road.  As the Trooper began to turn his vehicle around to initiate a traffic stop, it was discovered that the Ford F-150 had failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign and collided with 2012 Jeep Wrangler that was in front of it at the intersection.  Contact was made with the operator of the F-150, identified as 35-year-old Edwin Alfredo Alarcon, and an odor of alcohol was detected.  Alarcon became disorderly and threatened to kill the Trooper.  Alarcon placed his vehicle in drive and began heading towards the Trooper, who was outside of his vehicle, when Alarcon struck a second vehicle, a Toyota Prius that was stopped in traffic on Cave Neck Road. The impact caused the Prius to strike the Trooper’s unmarked divisionally issued Chevrolet Tahoe.

Troopers attempted to remove Alarcon from the vehicle and he began resisting, striking a Trooper in the face.  Alarcon was subsequently taken into custody and transported back to Troop 7 where he was charged with the following:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
• Assault 2nd injury to a Law Enforcement Officer
• Reckless Endanger First Degree (2 counts)
• Terroristic Threatening
• Criminal Mischief (2 counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Other traffic related offenses

Alarcon was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $32,001.00 secured bond.

The Trooper sustained minor injures to his face and arm.  The operator of the Wrangler and the Prius were not injured as a result of this incident.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 082418 1203

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Smyrna- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Smyrna woman after she pointed a loaded handgun at her former tenant.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:32 p.m., on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 when Troopers were dispatched to the 400 block of S. Carter Road for a trespass complaint.  Upon arrival, it was learned that the 44-year-old male victim had responded to the residence to turn over his keys.  A disagreement ensued between the victim and 44-year-old, Melanie Ballard.  Ballard proceeded to display a handgun and pointed it at the victim, causing him to fear for his life.

Ballard was taken into custody without incident, and recovered from the scene was a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun.  Ballard was transported back to Troop 9 where she was charged with the following:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Aggravated Menacing

Ballard was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $25,000.00 unsecured bond.

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: 082318 1623

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Wilmington (19803) – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery which began as a shoplifting that took place at a North Wilmington department store yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:43 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the Old Navy store located at 3020 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington. Three suspects, two female and one male, removed merchandise from the display and attempted to exit the store without rendering payment. The suspects were met at by an employee at the entrance doors who asked them to stop and return the merchandise. The suspects refused to comply and pushed past the employee at which time a physical altercation ensued. As a result, the employee was knocked to the ground and then bit on the forehead by one of the female suspects. The three suspects were able to retain the stolen merchandise and were last seen fleeing the parking lot in a red, four door vehicle with a black convertible roof, bearing an unknown Delaware registration. The employee was treated an area hospital for the bite wound.

The suspects were described as follows:

Suspect #1: black female, 20-25 years of age, 5’6”-5’7”, average build, wearing a pink t-shirt and blue jeans.

Suspect #2: black female, 20-25 years of age, 5’8”-5’9”, thin build, wearing a white t-shirt and black pants.

Suspect #3: black male, 25-30 years of age, 6’00”, average build, wearing a white tank top and black pants.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8566.

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: 082318 1320

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Bear – The Delaware State Police are investigating a strong armed robbery that stemmed from the sale of a cell-phone, which was arranged on-line.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018 in the parking lot of the CVS pharmacy, located at 1545 Pulaski Hwy., Bear. A 34 year old Claymont man had utilized the mobile classified application “Let Go” to advertise an Apple I-phone which he was selling. A prospective buyer contacted him and the two parties agreed to meet in the parking lot of the CVS to complete the transaction. The victim met with the prospective buyer, an adult male, who was accompanied by a juvenile male. As the victim was displaying the phone the adult grabbed it out of his hand and then fled on foot towards the Wellington Woods neighborhood, followed by the juvenile. The victim was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspects were described as follows:

Suspect #1: black male, 30-40 years of age, wearing a black shirt and black shorts.

Suspect #2: black male, 10-12 years of age, wearing a white t-shirt and tan pants.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8566.

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: 082318 1240

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Seaford– The Delaware State Police have arrested a Seaford man after he resisted arrest and was found in possession of drugs and a weapon.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:27 a.m., on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 on King Road in the area of Concord Pond.  Troopers observed a silver color Ford Focus stopped on the grassy area and observed a subject exit the vehicle.  As Troopers approached the subject and attempted to identify him, the suspect fled on foot and a foot pursuit ensued.  The suspect later identified as 35-year-old Darnell C. Stokes, was subsequently taken into custody.  A search in the vicinity of Stokes’ vehicle yielded approximately 4.69 grams of cocaine, brass knuckles, and drug paraphernalia.

Stokes was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with the following:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession with Intent to a Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Prior Violent Crime Felony
• Resisting Arrest
• Tampering With Physical Evidence
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
• Criminal Impersonation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts)
• Driving While Suspended or Revoked
• Disorderly Conduct
• Failure to Comply with Taking Fingerprints

Stokes was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $13,250.00 secured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 082318 1146

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Greenwood- The Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Farmington man that took place last evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:05 p.m., on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 9707 Nanticoke Business Park Drive, Atlantic Aluminum.  The 21-year-old male victim was unloading a forklift when he was approached by a male brandishing a handgun and demanding the victim’s wallet.  The victim turned over his wallet and the suspect fled the area on foot.  The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

The suspect was described as a black, 5’10”-5’11” tall, 175-200 lbs., wearing dark colored pants and a hooded sweatshirt.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Troop 4, Major Crimes Unit at 302-856-5850.

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.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 082318 0853

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