Wilmington (19809)– The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery of a cell phone store located in the Monterey Shopping Center that occurred yesterday afternoon.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred around 1:26 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017, as a male subject armed with a handgun in his waistband entered the Cricket Wireless store, located at 729 Philadelphia Pike . The suspect approached an employee and demanded money from the register. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash.  The suspect exited the front entrance of the store and fled in an unknown direction. The employee was not injured as a result of this incident.

The suspect was described as a black male, 30-40 years of age, approximately 6’0″-6’2″ tall, 170 lbs., wearing all dark colored clothing and armed with a handgun.

No surveillance photos are available at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to please contact Troop 2 Robbery Unit, at 302-365-8412 .  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at 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. 

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 123117 1600

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Newark (19711) – The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery of a Chinese Restaurant which took place in the Polly Drummond Shopping Center on Friday evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:51 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Mee Garden Restaurant located at 13 Polly Drummond Shopping Center.  A suspect entered the business through the rear door, wearing a black face mask and armed with a blunt force object.  The suspect approached the front cash register and demanded money from the employee.  After the employee complied with the suspects demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled out the rear door of the business in which he entered.   A witness saw the suspect enter a small white sedan that was parked in the area and then fled the scene.

The suspect was described as a white male, wearing a black face mask and a dark colored shirt, displaying a blunt force object. The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

No video is available at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to please contact Troop 2 Robbery Unit, at 302-365-8412. 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. 

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 123117 1248

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Georgetown/Seaford/Bridgeville– The Delaware State Police are investigating three robberies that occurred in the Georgetown, Seaford, and Bridgeville areas last evening.

The first incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 on Merganser Road in Sand Hill Acres, Georgetown.  Three unknown male suspects were in a vehicle and approached the victim as he was riding his bike home.  All three suspects exited the vehicle and two of them began searching the victim’s pockets, while one of them displayed a handgun.  The suspects took possession of the victims cell phone and then got back in their vehicle and fled the development.  The victim described the vehicle as being dark in color.  The victim was unable to provide any further description of the suspects or the vehicle.  The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

The second  incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 at a residence located in the 25000 block of Covert Street, Mobile Gardens, Seaford.  Two suspects had approached the victim while he was outside of his residence.  One of the suspects displayed a handgun and demanded the victim turn over his wallet and cell phone.  The victim complied with the suspects demands and turned over the items.  The suspects fled the scene in an unknown make and model vehicle.  The suspect who displayed an unknown type of handgun was described as a Hispanic male approximately 5’07” to 5’08” tall,  145 lbs., with short facial hair and wearing a dark colored sweater.  The second suspect was wearing a mask over his face and described as a male, approximately 5’03” tall, 150 lbs., wearing a dark colored sweater.  The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

The third incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 at a residence located in the 8000 block of Cannon Road, Bridgeville.  Four unknown suspects arrived in a vehicle at the residence and made contact with the victim while he was outside.  One of the suspects exited the vehicle and approached the victim while displaying a handgun.  The suspect demanded the victim to turn over his wallet.  The other three suspects remained in the vehicle while one of them also displayed a handgun.  The victim complied with the suspects demands and turned over his wallet.  The suspect then returned to the vehicle and fled northbound on Cannon Road. The vehicle was described as dark colored with four-doors and a long hood. The victim could only describe two suspects as having short hair.  No other physical description of the suspects or the vehicle could be provided.   The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

If anyone has any information in reference to either of these incidents, they are asked to please contact the Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit at 302-856-5850 . Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at 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. 

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 123017 1608

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Dagsboro– The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Thursday, December 28, 2017 on US 113 (DuPont Boulevard) at SR 26 (Clayton Street) in the limits of Dagsboro.

The incident occurred at approximately  1:13 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2017 as a 2017 Honda CRV operated by a 75-year-old female of Philadelphia, PA was stopped in the south bound left turn lane of US 113 at SR 26.  A 2014 Honda Odyssey, operated by a 44-year-old female of Wilmington, DE was traveling north bound in the left lane of US 113 approaching the intersection at SR 26.  The operator of the CRV initially stopped for the red light, however for unknown reasons she proceeded forward and entered the north bound travel lane, disregarding a solid red traffic signal.  As a result, the front of the Odyssey struck the front of the CRV.   The impact forced the CRV north bound where it eventually came to rest in the median.  The Odyssey was also forced off the road and came to rest in a parking lot of a commercial business.

The operator of the CVR identified as 75-year-old Geraldine M. Scanlan was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

The operator of the Odyssey, her front seat passenger, and rear seat passenger were properly restrained and did not sustain injury as a result of this crash.  Another rear seat juvenile passenger was also properly restrained sustained a minor injury.  She was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Medical Center Hospital where she was treated and released.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has assumed the investigation from the Dagsboro Police Department and is continuing their review into this incident. Impairment does not appear to be a contributing factor on behalf of either operator at this time.

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: 122917 1800

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Newark (19711) – The Delaware State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred inside a Newark area bar, that has left a man hospitalized in serious condition.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:21 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at Rackers Bar, located at 1232 Capitol Trail, Newark, as two male patrons became engaged in a physical altercation inside the bar.

During the altercation, one of the involved subjects, a 28 year old Newark man, was shot one time in the abdomen, by the other subject. The male suspect then fled the scene prior to Troopers arrival. The victim was transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.

Through investigative measures, warrants were obtained for the suspect identified as 21-year-old Benjamin A. Lepore of Wilmington.  On Thursday, December 28, 2017 Lepore was stopped by the Bridgeville Police Department for a traffic violation.  Subsequently, Lepore was taken into custody without further incident.  Lepore was charged with Assault First Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited.  Lepore was arraigned out of Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $100,000.00 cash bond.

Troopers Investigating Shooting at Newark Area Bar

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: 122917 1700

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Dover- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Harrington man after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and illegal drugs.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:07 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017, as Troopers were on patrol in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard and observed a 2009 Dodge Nitro with an equipment violation.  A traffic stop was then conducted and contact was made with the operator, identified as 33-year-old Stephen Obeda of Harrington.  It was determined that the operator’s drivers license was revoked.  Subsequently, he was removed from the vehicle and a search was conducted.  The search of the vehicle revealed a concealed and fully loaded .22 caliber revolver which was previously reported stolen out of Denton, MD, 20.70 grams of marijuana and .375 grams of heroin both of which were packaged for sale.

Obeda was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Receiving a Stolen Firearm,  two counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and several traffic charges.  Obeda was arraigned out of Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $59,600 unsecured bond.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 122817 1620

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Newark (19711) – Delaware State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred inside a Newark area bar, that has left a man hospitalized in serious condition.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:21 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at Rackers Bar, located at 1232 Capitol Trail, Newark, as two male patrons became engaged in a physical altercation inside the bar.

During the altercation, one of the involved subjects, a 28 year old Newark man, was shot one time in the abdomen, by the other subject. The male suspect then fled the scene prior to Troopers arrival. The victim was transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.

There were no other injuries as a result of the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. G. Biddle of the Troop 2 Major Crimes Unit by calling 302-365-8567.

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 Michael Austin

Released: 122817 1540

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Townsend – Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Townsend gas station, in which the suspect brandished a large knife.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:55 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at the Valero Shore Stop gas station, located at 4298 Dupont Parkway, Townsend.

A 57 year old female employee, was just about to close the business for the night, when a subject entered the store and approached her at the sales counter. The subject asked for a pack of cigarettes at which time the employee advised that she would be right with him. At this time the subject displayed a large knife and demanded a money bag which the employee was preparing to deposit. The employee complied with the demand, turning over the money bag which contained an undisclosed amount of cash.

Once obtaining the bag, the suspect fled into the parking lot, to an awaiting vehicle, which fled northbound on Dupont Parkway. The employee was not injured as a result of the incident.

The suspect is described as a black male, 20-30 years of age, 5’5”-5’7” tall, with a thin build, wearing a black jacket, black hoodie, black pants and in possession of a large knife.

The investigation is ongoing and any one 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: 122717 1200

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Middletown – Delaware State Police are investigating a crash involving an overturned tractor trailer that has closed Summit Bridge Road.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:54 a.m., Thursday, December 28, 2017, on Summit Bridge Road (DE 71) northbound, south of Old School House Road, Middletown.

A 2010 Freightliner tractor trailer, operated by a 34 year old North Carolina man, was traveling Summit Bridge Road northbound, south of Old School House Road, when a deer crossed the roadway, directly in front of his vehicle. The driver swerved to avoid striking the deer at which time he lost control of the vehicle, with it overturning onto its right side. Prior to the vehicle coming to rest, the trailer struck and snapped a Delmarva utility pole, causing damage to a transformer. The tractor trailer, which was hauling assorted produce, came to rest, blocking all lanes of Summit Bridge Road.

The driver, as well as a 56 year old passenger, also from North Carolina, were able to exit the vehicle under their own power, prior to being transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Summit Bridge Road remains closed between Marl Pit Road/Armstrong Corner Road and Boyds Corner Road/Churchtown Road, as the cargo is off-loaded and the vehicle removed. Delmarva Power crews are also on scene making repairs to the utility pole.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time.

For traffic updates as well as 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: 122817 1100

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Milford – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Cedar Creek Road (SR30) south of Wilkins Road (CR 206) earlier this evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 as a 14-year-old male from Lincoln was operating a Go-Kart traveling northbound on the shoulder of Cedar Creek Road.  A 2009 Toyota Camry driven by a 36-year-old Lincoln women was  traveling southbound on Cedar Creek Road approaching the Go-Kart.  For unknown reasons, the operator of the Go-Kart swerved to the left and crossed into the path of the Camry.  The operator of the Camry was unable to avoid the Go-Kart, causing the front end to collide with the right side of the Go-Kart.  After the impact, the operator of the Go-Kart was ejected and came to rest in the middle of the southbound lane of Cedar Creek Road.  The operator of the Camry continued southbound for a short distance before coming to a stop with the Go-Kart partially lodged under its bumper.

The 14-year-old operator of the Go-Kart was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 36-year-old operator of the Camry was properly restrained and was not injured as a result of this crash.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Impairment does not appear to be a contributing factor on behalf of either operator at this time. Cedar Creek Road was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

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.

**Traffic Advisory** State Police Investigating Serious Crash-Milford

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 122717 2218

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