Dover- The Delaware State Police will be out in full force patrolling the roadways this weekend to ensure that everyone is driving with due care and offering assistance to motorists in need. The Delaware State Police Mounted Patrol Unit will also be assisting the Dewey Beach Police Department with proactive patrols, and the Delaware State Police Maritime Unit’s “Marine One” will be operating on Delaware’s waterways to ensure boater safety and security.

“As we take time this Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we must not forget the dangers that can arise from traveling on our roadways,” said Sergeant Richard Bratz, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “The Delaware State Police would like to wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day Weekend!”

Troopers intend to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our highways during this “official” start of the summer season. Troopers will be focusing on distracted driving, motorists not wearing seat belts, unrestrained children in vehicles, and any aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, following too close, and especially, driving under the influence.

By following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe holiday weekend travel without jeopardizing their life or the lives of others who may be on the road:

• Ensure all occupants are properly restrained
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
• Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
• If you see a drunk or aggressive driver on the road, immediately contact 911 as soon as safely possible.
• If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by the Director of the Public Information Office, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 052518 1321

-End-

Dewey Beach – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that has claimed the life of a Maryland man.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:31 a.m., Friday, May 25, 2018 on Coastal Highway (SR1) northbound at the intersection of Keybox Road south of Dewey Beach. A 2012 Hyundai Accent, operated by a 56 year old Lewes man was traveling northbound on Coastal Highway (SR 1) in the right lane approaching the intersection of Keybox Road. A pedestrian, 22 of Maryland, was walking southbound along the northbound shoulder of Coastal Highway in the area of the intersection. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian entered into the northbound travel lane of Coastal Highway directly into the path of the vehicle. The operator of the Hyundai Accent was unable to avoid the pedestrian and struck him with the right front bumper within the right travel lane. After the collision, the pedestrian came to rest on the northbound shoulder of Coastal Highway. The vehicle continued northbound for a short distance before coming to a controlled stop on the northbound shoulder of Coastal Highway north of the pedestrian.

The roadway was dark and the pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk or carrying a light at the time of the collision. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by responding EMS. Alcohol and unsafe speed are not factors on behalf of the driver. Alcohol does appear to be a contributing factor on behalf of the pedestrian.

The operator of the Hyundai Accent was properly restrained and sustained no injuries as a result of the crash.

The northbound lanes of Coastal Highway were closed between Dewey Beach and the Inlet Bridge for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at 302-644-5020. 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

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 052518 0651

-End-

Harrington- The Delaware State Police have arrested a suspect for the second time in connection with thefts of copper wire from commercial irrigation systems.

Taylor Provanchie, 23-year-old of Harrington, was initially arrested on April 19, 2018 for multiple thefts of copper wire from commercial irrigation systems.  He was subsequently released on unsecured bond.  On May 11, 2018, Troopers responded to Brownsville Road and Cornish Road in Harrington for theft of copper wire complaints.  Through investigative measures, Provanchie was identified as a possible suspect.  While clearing these complaints, and patrolling the area, the Trooper observed Provanchie’s vehicle parked alongside of Whiteleysburg Road.

Provanchie was subsequently taken into custody and transported back to Troop 3 where he was initially charged with Violation of Probation and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.  On Tuesday, May 22, 2018 warrants were obtained for Provanchie in connection with the Harrington thefts.  He was charged with two counts of Theft (Felony), 2 counts of Criminal Trespass Third, and two counts of Criminal Mischief.  He was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and given an $11,300.00 unsecured bond.  Provanchie however remains at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center for Violation of Probation. 

Click on link for related arrest: Troopers Arrest Two Suspects For Copper Wire Thefts

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 052418 1933

The 2nd Annual “Move Over” Tweet-Along is upon us. The #MoveOver18, a multi-agency  National Tweet-Along, is designed to bring awareness to motorists so emergency personnel and highway workers have a safe zone in which to work. This social media initiative will run for 24 hours on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Last year, approximately 120 agencies from across the nation and numerous Twitter accounts within those agencies participated in the 24-hour social media campaign actively sharing the very important “Move Over” message.

The “Move Over Law” states when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle with lights flashing to slow down and safely move over. This includes Law Enforcement Agencies, Department of Transportation, EMS, Park Rangers, ambulances, fire trucks, fire police, tow trucks and public utility vehicles.

We appreciate all of our local allied partners who participate to reinforce this safety message! The more partners we have the stronger our message will be.

In advance of the upcoming summer travel season and the heavily traveled Memorial Day weekend, the Delaware State Police would like to issue a friendly reminder to motorists of the Delaware Move Over Law.

Delaware’s Move Over Law has been in effect since January 1, 2007:

• Requires any driver approaching a stopped emergency vehicle that has its lights activated, to either move over into a lane that is not next to the emergency vehicle, or to reduce his or her speed to a “safe speed” while passing the emergency vehicle if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
• Emergency vehicles include: law enforcement vehicles, EMS vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, fire police and park rangers that have stopped on a roadway and have their lights activated.
• Law applies specifically to roadways having two or more lanes going in the same direction.
• The fine and fees for not moving over for an emergency vehicle is over $100.

Remember, moving over to give space to emergency personnel and highway workers isn’t just a courtesy—It’s the Law. Help Tweet the “Move Over” message to raise awareness of this important law – #MoveOver18.

The Delaware State Police, allied law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services thank you!

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 052418 1731

-End-

Newark – Delaware State Police have arrested Brion Cooper-Kelson, 23, of Newark  in connection with a robbery that took place at a Newark Shore Stop in early May.

The original incident occurred at approximately 9:07 a.m., Thursday, May 3, 2018, at the Shore Stop, located at 796 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, when a suspect approached the 24 year old male employee at the sales counter and proceeded to make a purchase. As the employee was completing the transaction, the suspect demanded money from the register while implying that he had a gun. The employee complied with the demand by turning over an undisclosed amount of cash. Once obtaining the money, the suspect fled in an unknown direction. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

Through a variety of investigative leads and measures Cooper-Kelson was developed as a suspect, which resulted in a search warrant being executed at his residence on Thursday, May 24, 2018. As a result of the search, evidence was recovered which positively linked him to the robbery.

Cooper-Kelson was taken in to custody and transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with Robbery 1st Degree. He was then arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 before being committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of  $25,000.00 secured bond.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective C. Hevelow of the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8471.

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

Click on the following link to view the original release:

Troopers Investigating Robbery of Newark Gas Station

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

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052418 1445

-End-

Newark– Delaware State Police have arrested Christian J. Redcay, 18, of Newark, on multiple charges stemming from two knifepoint robberies that took place in early May

The investigation began at approximately 8:46 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2018 when a robbery was reported at the Wings to Go, located in Peoples Plaza, Newark, in which a masked suspect approached an employee while brandishing a knife and demanded money from the register.

A second incident which also involved a masked suspect brandishing a knife occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m., Sunday, May 13, 2018, at the Valero gas station, located at 2565 Pulaski Highway, Newark.

In both incidents the employee victims were not injured and the suspect made off with undisclosed amounts of cash.

Through a variety of investigative leads and measures detectives were able to develop Redcay as a suspect, and a search warrant executed at his residence on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, produced evidence positively linking him to both robberies.

Redcay was taken in to custody and transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with two counts each of Robbery 1^st Degree, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony and one count of Conspiracy 2^nd Degree. He was then arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #2 before being committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $254,000.00 secured bail.

Anyone with further information regarding these incidents are asked to contact Det. B. McDerby of the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8436.

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

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052318 1800

-End-

Newark – Delaware State Police are investigating a burglary that took place at a Newark area liquor store in April and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:49 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2018, at Paper Mill Liquors, located at 364 Possum Park Road Newark. Two suspects wearing all dark clothing smashed out the front entry door to gain access to the business. Once inside the suspects removed the ATM machine and loaded it onto an industrial style flatbed truck which was equipped with a hydraulic lift. They then fled northbound on Paper Mill Road.

Further investigation determined that the truck, which was confirmed to be a 2006 Chevrolet 4500,  had been stolen from a construction site located in the 1800 block of DuPont Parkway, Middletown, at approximately 12:10 a.m., this same date.

Both the ATM and the truck have since been recovered.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who may be able to identify the pictured suspects is asked to contact Detective D. DeFlaviis at Troop 2 by calling 302-365-8388.

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

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052318 1430

-End-

Dover – Delaware State Police have arrested Jeffrey M. Helm Jr., 31, of Dover on multiple drug related offenses after he was stopped for a traffic violation Monday evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:26 p.m., Monday, May 21, 2018, when a Trooper stopped a silver Ford Crown Victoria for speeding, on E. Lebanon Road (SR 10) in the area of S. State Street, Dover. Contact was made with Helm, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, who was unable to provide proof of insurance.

While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle the Trooper detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the center console area. Upon continuing the search the following was discovered:

• 1.35 grams of heroin
• 409 doses of LSD
• 70.06 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• 375.16 grams of marijuana
• 2.6 grams of cocaine
• 72.4 grams of THC infused cookies
• 105.48 grams of butane honey oils
• 375 mgs. Of “Cheese Hits” (marijuana infused cheese snacks)
• 26 grams of resin oils in multiple glass containers
• 49 THC cartridges

Helm was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 3 where he was charged with the following:

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (5 counts)
• Possession of Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity w/ Aggravating Factor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Speeding
• No Proof of Insurance

Helm was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #7 and released on $56,851 unsecured bail.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052218 1510

-End-

Delmar – Delaware State Police are investigating a single vehicle crash that took place Sunday evening, resulting in one subject being hospitalized in critical condition.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:17 p.m., Sunday, May 20, 2018, on Old Stage Road south of Whitesville Road, Delmar. A 2002 GMC Yukon, operated by Juan Gomez-Gomez, 35, of Laurel, was traveling Old Stage road northbound at an apparent high rate of speed while passing other vehicles. The GMC experienced a rear tire blow out which caused Gomez-Gomez to lose control. The vehicle then traveled off the roadway, overturning multiple times, resulting in the driver and his passenger being ejected from the vehicle.

Gomez-Gomez was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury, Maryland, where he was treated for minor injuries. The passenger, a 30 year old Laurel man, was also transported to PRMC where he was admitted in critical condition.

Impairment was a factor on Gomez-Gomez behalf and warrants are currently on file charging him with Vehicular Assault 1st Degree, DUI, Unreasonable Speed and No Valid License. Arrest action is pending extradition from Maryland, where he is being held as an out of state fugitive.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Sgt. A. Mendez of the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit at 302-644-5020.

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

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052118 1300

-End-

Millsboro – Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery stemming from a domestic related incident and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect.

The investigation began at approximately 3:10 a.m., Sunday, May 20, 2018, when Troopers responded to a domestic incident at a residence located in the Oak Forest development, Millsboro.

The investigation determined that the suspect, David A. Ciabattoni, 34, of Millsboro, unlawfully entered the residence, in violation of a no contact order, and assaulted the 38 year old female victim before fleeing with her purse and vehicle. The vehicle has since been recovered.

Warrants are currently on file charging Ciabattoni with Robbery 1st Degree, Terroristic Threatening, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Breach of Release.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ciabattoni is asked to contact Cpl. M. Venero of  Troop 7 at 302-703-3290 or by calling 911.

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

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 052118 1000

-End-