The Delaware State Police Community Engagement Unit’s annual program to assist elementary school-aged children in need with the necessities for school is back! Troopers are asking for help with donations to fill each child’s backpack with school supplies.

Operation Troopers Have Your BACKpack works with local communities and organizations to collect and donate school supplies for children in need. Donations can be taken to Troop 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9, or Delaware State Police Federal Credit Union locations by anyone wishing to help. Each location will have a box for supplies to be dropped off. The donations will be collected from August 4, 2025 until August 15, 2025, and will be distributed at the start of the school year. The supplies needed for the students are:

Delaware State Police is thankful for the generosity from the public with this program in the past years. Please help us give the students these essential supplies for another successful school year!

Delaware State Police have arrested a 47-year-old Steve Pagan from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for felony gun and drug charges following a search warrant in Rehoboth Beach this morning.

On July 31, 2025, members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, and the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. The search warrant was obtained following an investigation of Steve Pagan for the distribution of illegal narcotics from the residence. During the search warrant, Pagan was detained in the residence. Two children were also in the residence at the time of the search warrant.

A search of the residence and vehicles led to the discovery of the following items:

• Approximately 22.21 grams of cocaine
• Approximately 28 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• Approximately 56 dosage units of Dihydrotestosterone
• Approximately 4.1 grams of Testosterone
• Approximately 3 grams of Trenbolone
• Approximately 1.5 grams of Nandrolone
• ,45 caliber handgun and ammunition
• 9mm handgun and ammunition
• Drug paraphernalia
• $3,104 in suspected drug proceeds

Pagan, who is a person prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, was taken to Troop 4 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $85,100 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon within 10 years of a Felony Conviction (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 1 (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts

Delaware State Police have arrested 52-year-old Gary Jefferson of Georgetown, Delaware, 26-year-old Jamie Reed of Milford, Delaware, and 54-year-old Paul Sample of Georgetown, Delaware, for felony drug and related charges following a search warrant in Georgetown yesterday.

On July 29, 2025, members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, and the Georgetown Police Department, executed a search warrant at a property on the 20000 block of Savannah Road in Georgetown. The search warrant was obtained following an investigation of Gary Jefferson and Paul Sample for the distribution of illegal narcotics from the property. During the search warrant, 18 people were detained including Jefferson, Reed, and Sample.

A search of the people detained, vehicles, and the property led to the discovery of the following items:

• $723.00 in suspected drug proceeds
• Approximately .19 grams of crack cocaine
• Approximately 26 pills of medroxyprogesterone
• Approximately 6 pills of valacyclovir
• Approximately 69 pills of bupropion
• Approximately 12 pills of gabapentin
• Approximately 22 pills of tadalafil
• Approximately 17 pills of olanzapine
• Approximately 30 pills of spironolactone
• Digital scale
• Drug paraphernalia

After the search, 5 of the 18 people detained were arrested for misdemeanor offenses and capias warrants, the others were released without incident. Jefferson, Reed, and Sample were all taken to Troop 4 where they were charged with multiple crimes.

Jefferson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $1,500 unsecured bond.

• Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Reed was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $24,500 secured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 7 counts
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 1 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Sample was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $3,500 unsecured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Delaware State Police have arrested 21-year-old Jeremy Rodriguez Sepulveda of Salisbury, Maryland, and 19-year-old Tina Berry of Delmar, Maryland for felony offenses following a pursuit near Angola.

On July 27, 2025, at approximately 9:14 p.m., a trooper on patrol saw a Toyota GR86 traveling eastbound on John J. Williams Highway near Banks Road, east of Long Neck, at a high rate of speed. The trooper initiated a traffic stop as the Toyota turned southbound on Sloan Road. The driver failed to stop and turned off the Toyota’s headlights. As the Toyota continued southbound on Sloan Road, it failed to negotiate a curve and overturned. Troopers contacted the occupants of the vehicle, identified as Jeremy Rodriguez Sepulveda and Tina Berry. Both were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. In the ensuing investigation, Berry told troopers that she was driving the Toyota, but it was later determined that Rodriguez Sepulveda was driving during the pursuit.

After being released from the hospital, Rodriguez Sepulveda and Berry were arrested and taken to Troop 7, where they were each charged with multiple offenses.

Rodriguez Sepulveda was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on his own recognizance.

• Provide False Statement to Law Enforcement with Intent to Delay/Hinder Investigation of a Felony (Felony)
• Disregard a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Reckless Driving
• Driving without a Valid License
• Multiple Traffic Violations

Berry was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on her own recognizance.

• Provide False Statement to Law Enforcement with Intent to Delay/Hinder Investigation of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police are investigating a home invasion that occurred last night in Newark.

On July 28, 2025, at approximately 10:15 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Salem Church Road in Newark, for a report of a home invasion. The preliminary investigation revealed that 2 unknown black male suspects entered the residence, and approached the victim in the family room. The suspects, both armed with firearms, demanded property from the victim, and inquired about an unknown male. The suspects then tied the victim’s hands, and ransacked his room. The suspects fled from the house with an undisclosed amount of money and property.

The victim was not injured. The suspects are described as black males, wearing dark-colored clothing, and armed with firearms. There is no surveillance footage available at this time.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective J. Dempsey by calling (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.

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 are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred yesterday evening in Middletown that left one woman dead.

On July 28, 2025, at approximately 6:08 p.m., a black 2018 Toyota Highlander was traveling in the left lane on State Route 301 northbound, approaching the DE-71 overpass. For unknown reasons, the Toyota traveled into the grass median, where it went up an embankment, and went airborne. The Toyota ultimately landed in the right lane of DE-71 northbound, rolled over, and struck the jersey barrier before it came to rest in the right shoulder of DE-71.

The rear passenger of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified.

The driver of the Toyota, a 62-year-old man, and the front passenger, a 55-year-old woman, both from Bronx, New York, were taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the investigators examined the scene and cleared the roadway.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki by calling 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 you 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 arrested 33-year-old Steven Mauthe of Smyrna, Delaware, for multiple felony offenses stemming from a home invasion that occurred in April in Smyrna.

On April 15, 2025, at approximately 8:39 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Ivy Ridge Court in Smyrna, for a report of a home invasion and assault. The preliminary investigation revealed that Steven Mauthe entered the residence, which was occupied by the homeowner and a 76-year-old man, both of whom are acquaintances of Mauthe. Mauthe proceeded to get into an argument with the 76-year-old victim, during which he punched the victim’s face multiple times. Mauthe fled from the home; however, returned a couple minutes later, repeatedly punched the victim in the face, and then fled on foot in an unknown direction.

On July 27, 2025, troopers made contact with Mauthe on an unrelated complaint in Townsend, and took him into custody without incident. Mauthe was taken to Troop 9, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $60,000 cash bond.

• Home Invasion Burglary 1^st Degree (Felony)
• Assault 1^st Degree (Felony)

The Delaware State Police are investigating a shots fired incident that occurred in the area of Claymont Elementary School in Claymont last night.

On July 27, 2025, at approximately 10:53 p.m., troopers responded to the area of Claymont Elementary School, located at 3401 Green Street, Claymont, for a report of shots fired. Troopers, with the assistance of New Castle County Police Department, searched the area for any victims, suspects, or property damaged. During the search, New Castle County Police Department Officers located an abandoned white Hyundai Sonata on Green Street. The vehicle was still in drive, and appeared to have been struck by a projectile. The preliminary investigation revealed that after the shots fired were heard, several vehicles drove away at a high rate of speed, and the Hyundai was abandoned, still in motion, by 3-4 unknown subjects, who fled in various directions.

There are no reported injuries or other property damage at this time. There is no further information available for the suspect(s). Surveillance video and images are not available.

The Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or has information regarding this case to contact Detective J. Lucyk by calling 302-365-8446. 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 67-year-old Sylvester Person of Milford, Delaware, as the man who died in a fatal hit-and-run collision on Saturday morning in Milton.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Senior Corporal J. Smith by calling 302-703-3267. 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 you 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 arrested 28-year-old Caitlynn Scott of Lincoln, Delaware, for a felony assault charge stemming from an incident at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington on Friday morning. Additionally, a 26-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, was arrested for a misdemeanor assault related offense following the incident.

On July 25, 2025, at approximately 11:15 a.m., troopers responded to Gate 7 at the Delaware State Fair, located at 200 Simpson Road, Harrington, for a report of an assault. In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned the victim was involved in an argument with an acquaintance, later identified as the 26-year-old man, while he was driving her to a destination in Sussex County. The argument resolved with the victim requesting to be dropped off at Harrington Casino instead. Once they arrived at Gate 7, the 26-year-old man forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle. The victim reached back into the vehicle to retrieve her purse, at which point the rear passenger, later identified as Caitlynn Scott, pepper sprayed the victim. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction. The victim was taken to an area hospital for injuries sustained from the chemical spray to her face.

Troopers located the suspect vehicle in Milford, and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, troopers made contact with Scott, and the 26-year-old male, both of whom were taken into custody without incident. Scott and the 26-year-old male were taken to Troop 3, where the male was charged with a misdemeanor offense.

Scott was charged with the crime below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

• Assault 2^nd Degree (Felony)