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.

Delaware State Police have identified 68-year-old Michael Smith, of Portsmouth, Virginia, as the man who died in the fatal crash in Lincoln on Friday.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. 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 25-year-old Gudiel Ramirez-Lopez, of Laurel, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash in Georgetown on Thursday.

Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell at (302) 703-3269. 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 three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Friday afternoon in Lincoln.

On October 17, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a Hyundai Sonata was traveling northbound on Dupont Boulevard, approaching Johnson Road. A Honda Accord was also traveling northbound on Dupont Boulevard, directly behind the Hyundai. At the same time, a Freightliner tanker-truck was traveling westbound on Johnson Road, approaching Dupont Boulevard.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the Hyundai was slowing to a stop for the yellow or red signal. The Honda failed to slow down and as a result, the front of the Honda struck the rear of the Hyundai. After the collision, the Hyundai was pushed into the intersection, striking the left side of the Freightliner as it traveled westbound through the intersection.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 68-year-old man from Portsmouth, Virginia, was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Freightliner, a 58-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, and the driver of the Honda, a 27-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, were not injured.

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

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. 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 are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred last night in Georgetown.

On October 16, 2025, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway east of Gravel Hill Road. At the same time, an Audi A4 was traveling eastbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway, east of Gravel Hill Road. For reasons still under investigation, the Honda crossed the center line, entered the eastbound lane of travel, and into the path of the Audi. As a result, the front of the Honda struck the front of the Audi.

The driver of the Honda, a 25-year-old man from Laurel, Delaware, who was not properly restrained, was taken to an area hospital where he later died. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Audi, an 18-year-old woman from Hockessin, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Lewes-Georgetown Highway was closed for an extended time while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell at (302) 703-3269. 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, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), announces the upcoming launch of the Permit to Purchase Program, which will open for registration in the coming weeks.

Under Delaware law, a handgun qualified purchaser permit will be required to purchase or transfer a handgun in Delaware. Permits will be issued by the State Bureau of Identification within the Delaware State Police.

The Delaware State Police encourages Delaware residents planning to buy a handgun to visit the Permit to Purchase website to learn about the training and documentation requirements associated with the new law. The Permit to Purchase law takes effect on November 16, 2025, and individuals are urged to review the process ahead of that date to ensure they are prepared to meet all necessary criteria.

Although the registration link is temporarily inactive, the webpage offers a complete overview of the program and will be activated once the online application portal is operational.

Update (October 28, 2025): The online application portal is now live and accepting applications. For background, please see our October 28, 2025, news release, which announced the launch.

PERMIT TO PURCHASE PROCESS

To obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit, applicants must:

1. Complete a firearms training course with a certified instructor. 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.
2. Obtain fingerprints and a photograph through an appointment with IdentoGO (Service Code 27S8N2).
3. Pass a background check conducted by SBI.

Applicants must also submit the following documents when filling out the online application:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Military orders (if applicable)
• Firearms Training Course Certificate or proof of exemption

Individuals with a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license issued by the Superior Court are not required to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

This process applies to anyone who is not an active or retired law enforcement officer or a current CCDW holder. Qualified law enforcement officers, retired officers, military members, and other specific groups may be exempt from the firearms training course requirement. Proof of exemption must be submitted with the application.

Exemptions to the firearms training requirement are specified in Delaware law.

A list of pre-approved firearms instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are pre-approved.

Registration and Contact Information

In the coming week, applicants will be able to access and submit their applications through the Permit to Purchase Portal once it becomes available.

All application-related correspondence will be managed through DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. The Permit to Purchase website will be the main source for program updates and detailed information.