Wilmington (19803) – Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a North Wilmington hotel that occurred overnight.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:50 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the Inn of Wilmington, located at 300 Rocky Run Boulevard, Wilmington. A black male suspect entered the hotel and approached the 33 year old male clerk at the front desk, under the premise of booking a room. The suspect then ordered the clerk to give him all the money from the register, as he grasped an object in his waistband which the clerk believed to be a weapon.  The clerk complied with the demand and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect, who then fled on foot into the parking lot. The clerk was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a black male, 35-45 years of age, 5’10”-6’00”, 180-200 lbs., wearing a reflective vest over a dark colored sweatshirt, dark pants and a knit hat.

No surveillance photos 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: 011018 1050

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Claymont – Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a Claymont area Wawa that occurred last night.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:55 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at the Wawa located at 301 Ridge Road, Claymont, as a black male suspect entered the store, just prior to it closing at 11:00 p.m.

The suspect approached the sales counter under the premise of purchasing a cup of coffee, and as the 32 year old female cashier began to wait on him, she was ordered to  give him all the money from the register. The suspect stated to the cashier that he didn’t want to hurt her, while making a gesture that led her to believe that he was in possession of a weapon. The cashier complied with the suspect’s demand, turning over an undisclosed amount of cash, along with a pack of cigarettes. The suspect was last seen fleeing on foot, eastbound on Ridge Road. The cashier was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a black male, 38-40 years of age, 5’7″, average build, wearing a black hooded jacket and green pants.

No surveillance photos 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: 011018 0945

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Bear – Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a fatal crash involving a single vehicle, in the 3000 block of Red Lion Road, Bear. As a result of the crash Red Lion Road is restricted to a single lane in the area of Summit Pointe Circle (entrance to Summit North Marina).

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

Motorists can expect delays in the area and are encouraged to seek alternate routes of travel.

For details regarding traffic conditions and road closure information log onto: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 011018 0555

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Wilmington (19810) – Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of a Naaman’s Road Walgreens in which the suspect targeted prescription drugs.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:05 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the Walgreens pharmacy, located at 1601 Naaman’s Road, Wilmington, as a suspect confronted two female employees as they were leaving for the night and forced them back inside the business.

Once inside, the suspect struck one of the employees in the head, while ordering her to open the pharmacy safe. After gaining access to the safe the suspect removed an undisclosed quantity of assorted drugs, before fleeing on foot to the rear of this business. Neither employee was injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a light skinned black or Hispanic male, 5’8″, with a thin build, wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, black sneakers, baseball hat, and a black mask covering his face.

No surveillance photos 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: 010818 1945

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Wilmington (19809) – Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a BP Shore Stop gas station in which the suspect was in possession of a handgun.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:52 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the BP Shore Stop gas station located at 708 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, as a black male suspect approached the cashier under the premise of making a purchase. As the 26 year old female employee proceeded to complete the transaction, the suspect unzipped his jacket to reveal a handgun, which was tucked into his waistband. The employee then complied with the suspects demand to give him all the money in the register. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash the suspect fled the store on foot in an unknown direction. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect was described as a black male with a dark complexion, 25-30 years of age, 5’11”-6’1″, 160-170 lbs., wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, tan shoes, and in possession of a black, unknown make and model handgun.

No surveillance photos 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 by calling 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: 010818 1850

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Frankford– The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred earlier today on northbound DuPont Boulevard (US 113) at the intersection of Daisey Street (SR 54).

The incident occurred at approximately 11:09 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2018 as a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer operated by an 87-year-old male of Ocean View, DE was traveling westbound on Daisey Street approaching the intersection of northbound DuPont Boulevard, which is controlled by a posted stop sign.  A 2015 Ford F-350 pulling a Load Trail trailer, operated by a 44-year-old male of Easton, MD was traveling northbound on DuPont Boulevard approaching the intersection at Daisey Street.  A third vehicle, a 2012 GMC Sierra operated by a 55-year-old male of Willards, MD was also traveling northbound on DuPont Boulevard, directly behind the F-350.  It is noted that DuPont Boulevard is a throughway and traffic is not required to stop. For unknown reasons, the operator of the Trailblazer proceeded into the intersection directly into the path of the F-350.  As a result, the front center of the F-350 struck the left side of the Trailblazer in the intersection.  The impact sheared the left front door from the Trailblazer, which the GMC Sierra struck as it went northbound.

After impact, the Trailblazer was forced northbound, rotating in a clockwise direction and eventually exiting the roadway and coming to rest in a snow-bank on DuPont Boulevard. The F-350 and the trailer it was pulling were forced into the center median where the trailer became disconnected from the vehicle and came to rest a short distance south of the truck.  The GMC Sierra was able to came to a controlled stop just north of the scene.

The 87-year-old operator of the Trailblazer was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  His name is being with held at this time pending notification to next of kin.

A front passenger in the Trailblazer, an 80-year-old female of Millville, DE was also removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she was admitted with non-life threatening injuries.

All operators and passengers involved in this crash were properly restrained and impairment does not appear to be a factor.  The intersection at northbound DuPont Boulevard and Daisey Street was closed for approximately 2.5 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.

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: 010818 1642

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New Castle – Delaware State Police have arrested an Elsmere man responsible for the theft of multiple vehicles, occurring over the span of five weeks, one of which was a carjacking, with children in the vehicle.

On Sunday, January 7, 2018, at approximately 11:08 p.m., Troopers responded to the Wawa, located at 4000 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, for a vehicle theft that had just occurred. Upon arrival at the scene Troopers were advised by a Wawa employee, that he had started his 2013 Hyundai Elantra, to warm it up, and then went back inside the store to finish his shift, leaving the vehicle unlocked and running. Upon returning to the lot a few minutes later, he discovered the vehicle was gone.

While searching the area, Troopers were alerted by an area resident, to a suspicious person, who was on foot in the area of Memorial Drive and Karlin Drive. Troopers located the subject, who was later identified as Charles R. Mason IV, 44, of Elsmere, and took him in to custody without incident. With information provided by another witness the Hyundai was also recovered in the Comcast parking lot, located at 4008 N. DuPont Highway.

Through various investigative leads and measures, Troopers were able to link Mason to multiple vehicle thefts, to include a carjacking, as well as other related crimes, that took place at the below listed locations on the specified dates. Mason was also linked to vehicle thefts that occurred in both New Castle County Police and City of Wilmington Police jurisdictions, also listed below.

12/2/2017: Wawa, 2030 Limestone Road, Wilmington

12/07/2017: Meineke, 1512 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington

12/11/2017: Steve’s Centerville Inn, 1204 Centerville Road, Wilmington

12/15/2017: Comegys Pub, 210 N. Union Street, Wilmington (Wilmington Police)

12/26/2017: Royal Farms, 3701 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington

12/26/2017: Joel’s Rest Stop, 3 Rock Avenue, Wilmington (New Castle County Police)

01/04/2018: Wawa, 2030 Limestone Road, Wilmington

01/04/2018: The Car Shop, 2205 Mitch road, Wilmington

01/08/2018: Wawa, 4000 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle

Mason was charged with 7 counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 2 counts of Carjacking 1^st degree, 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 1 count each of Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Theft Under $1500.00, Criminal Trespass 2^nd degree, and Criminal Mischief Under $1000.00.

Mason was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $127,500.00 secured bond.

Anyone with further information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Cpl. R. Kunicki at Troop 6 by calling 302-633-5000. 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

As we proceed through the cold winter months the Delaware State Police would like to remind drivers NOT to leave their cars running with keys in the ignition and unattended. Not only is it illegal, but this practice has contributed to a recent increase in auto thefts. There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of losing your car to an opportunistic thief:

• STAY WITH THE CAR. It’s better to be cold for a few minutes in your car while it warms up than to be left in the cold while the thief drives it away.
• LOCK THE DOORS. At all times when unoccupied.
• GET A REMOTE STARTER. Remote starters are the safest way to keep your car running while unattended. With the keys out of the ignition, a thief can’t even put the car in gear.
• And finally, NEVER leave children unattended in a vehicle, running or not.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:

-End- 010818 1600

Laurel – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Laurel man after he led troopers on a pursuit yesterday morning.

The preliminary investigation has determined at approximately 9:23 a.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2018 the Sussex Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) dispatched a “be on the lookout” for a suspect named David S. Burns, who was last seen operating a silver Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle with a stolen license plate. The suspect was wanted by the Seaford Police Department for the stolen tag and a pursuit which occurred on January 2, 2018. It was also known the suspect was wanted for a felony warrant out of Troop 5, in Bridgeville for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief.

On January 7, 2018 at approximately 11:36 a.m. a trooper on patrol observed the suspect vehicle on Seaford Road near the intersection of Discount Land Road, Laurel. A computer check was conducted on the suspect vehicle, as it pulled into the parking lot of the Food Lion grocery store located at 30214 Sussex Highway, Laurel. After the fictitious registration was confirmed on the silver Mercedes-Benz, the trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the parking lot activating his emergency equipment. The trooper exited his vehicle and approached the suspect vehicle and the suspect drove away exiting the parking lot. The suspect drove his vehicle toward another patrol vehicle who positioned his vehicle on Discount Land Road and Sussex Highway to prevent the suspect from entering the roadway. The Mercedes-Benz fled past the patrol vehicle onto US 13 southbound towards County Seat Highway (SR9).

The suspect drove in an aggressive manner and overtook several vehicles on Sussex Highway before entering the right lane and passing on the shoulder. The suspect recklessly disregarded the red light at the intersection of Sussex Highway and County Seat Highway and fled southbound at a high rate of speed. The suspect then was observed traveling south in the northbound lanes and turned onto Trussum Pond Road heading east. The suspect continued to disregard police signals and made a U-turn on Trussum Pond Road near Old Stage Road going west back towards Sussex Highway. The pursuit was discontinued at this point. The suspect continued his reckless driving and disregard for the red traffic light at Sussex Highway where he collided with a 2015 Ford F-150 in the northbound lanes operated by a 55 year old male of Virginia. He continued after the initial crash and struck a 2016 Ford 4H, operated by a 66 year old female of Millsboro at the intersection of Sussex Highway in the southbound lanes.

After the both collisions the suspect vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder of Sussex Highway and Trussum Pond Road. He then exited his vehicle, fled the scene on foot, and proceeded into the wooded area near Trussum Pond Road. A trooper and his K9 partner conducted a search for the suspect and found him hiding in small ditch behind a broken toilet. The trooper located and apprehended the suspect without further incident. He was identified as David S. Burns, 28 of Laurel, Delaware.

The 58 year old male driver of the 2015 Ford F-150 was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the collision.

The 66 year old female driver of the Ford passenger car was wearing her seatbelt. She was subsequently transported to Nanticoke Memorial hospital for further evaluation and treatment for minor injuries.

The suspect, David S. Burns, 28 of Laurel, was transported to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated with non-life threatening injuries and released. He was charged with Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Reckless Endangering, Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest, Vehicular Assault, Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Injury, Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Aggressive Driving, Reckless Driving, Driving without a Valid License, and other traffic related offenses. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $26,360.00 cash bond and was issued an additional $5,750.00 secured bond for the Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief.

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Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Released: 010818 1101

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Claymont (19703) – Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of an AutoZone that occurred last night south of Claymont.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2018, at the AutoZone located at 2407 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, as a black male suspect entered the store and approached the sales counter to make a purchase. The suspect then displayed a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. The suspect then exited the store and fled in a northbound direction. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male, 20-25 years of age, approximately 6’01” tall, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, dark pants with his face partially covered armed with an unknown make and model handgun.

No surveillance images are available at this time.

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 the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 010718 1311

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Newark – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred early this morning east of Newark.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred at approximately 2:09 a.m. on Saturday, January 06, 2018, as Jalen G. Worthen, 24 of Wilmington, was operating a 2000 Nissan Maxima traveling northbound on JFK Memorial Highway (I-95) just south of Salem Church Road. The roadway (I-95) was dry and free of any snow from the recent snow event.  As the vehicle continued on a slight curve portion of I-95, it failed to negotiate the curve and continued straight onto the shoulder. The Nissan Maxima then exited the roadway and began traveling on the snow covered grass in a northeast direction striking trees. The impact into the second tree resulted in the vehicle splitting in half.

Jalen G. Worthen, who was properly restrained, was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in this collision. At the time of this initial investigation, alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into the crash. I95 northbound traffic was not impacted and the right lane in the area of the collision was closed for approximately three hours.

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 the Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz

Released: 010618 0941

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