South Dover – Delaware State Police Troop 3 will be holding a Community Café on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. The event will held from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at the Wawa located at 1525 East Lebanon Road.  The Community Café will have Troop 3 Administration and the Community Outreach Officer in attendance to meet and interact with members of the public. This Community Café is often referred to as “Coffee with a Cop” in other police agencies and is being held in an effort to build a stronger relationship between the Delaware State Police and the communities that we so proudly serve.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 101717 0800

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Newport – Delaware State Police have concluded their investigation into a multi-vehicle traffic crash that closed I-495 southbound in the area of I-95 southbound for approximately 3 hours.

The crash occurred at approximately 3:56 p.m., Monday, October 16th, 2017 in the southbound lanes of I-495 at the merge with I-95 southbound.  The investigation determined that a 2015 Ford truck, which was towing a trailer, and operated by a 57 year old Felton man was traveling southbound I-495 in the center lane. As the Ford slowed due to traffic, it was rear ended by a 2012 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by Irick Laverne, 45, of Charlotte N.C. The impact forced the Ford into the left lane where it struck a Dodge Ram pickup truck, operated by a 48 year old Wilmington man. The Dodge then traveled off the roadway striking a guardrail before coming to rest. The Ford truck then overturned at which time the trailer it was towing struck a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, operated by a 42 year old Newark man.

A 40 year old male, front seat passenger in the Ford truck sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Christiana Hospital for treatment.

As a result of the Ford truck and trailer overturning approximately 30 gallons of hydraulic fluid and 10 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the roadway. DNREC responded to the scene and conducted a clean-up operation.

The operator of the tractor trailer was issued a traffic citation for Following Too Close.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:101617 2104

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Lewes – The Delaware State Police have arrested two people in connection with graffiti spray painted on school busses and other property in the Lewes area.

The investigation began this morning, Monday October 16, 2017 around 5:40 a.m. when an employee arrived at the bus lot adjacent to the Cape Henlopen High School to unlock the busses. The employee noticed profane and racial slurs spray painted in black along side of two of the busses and called 9-1-1 right away.  Troopers began receiving additional calls to report other incidents of the same nature around 8:26 a.m. and responded to an area behind Midway Movie Theater where a forklift and mobile office trailer had been vandalized with spray paint.  Boulevard Ford on Coastal Highway had five vehicles spray painted along with a privately owned vehicle located in Heritage Village on Bethpage Drive.

Through investigative measures and surveillance images of a white Buick passenger car obtained in the investigation, troopers were able to determine that Zachary J. Baughman, 19 of Lincoln, was involved with the incidents after verifying a traffic stop had been conducted by Lewes Police Department around 1:50 a.m. this morning (Monday October 16, 2017).  A passenger at the time of the stop was identified as Steven T. Swain, 22 of Harrington, who was also linked to the crimes.

Troopers were able to contact both suspects at their residences and they turned themselves into Troop 7 this evening where they were charged with five counts of Graffiti and five counts of Conspiracy 3rd.  They were arraigned at JP2 and released on $10,000.00 unsecured bond.

For information regarding the traffic stop, please contact Lewes Police Department.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 101617 2020

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*UPDATE-Traffic Advisory* I-495 Southbound At I-95 Southbound Is Closed Due To Multi-Vehicle Crash-Newport

Newport – All lanes of I-495 southbound are now re-opened and emergency crews have cleared. Minor delays can still be expected as traffic returns to normal.

Further updates will follow as details become available.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1925

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Troopers Investigating Serious Crash Involving Pedestrian On Coastal Hwy.-Rehoboth

Rehoboth – Delaware State Police have identified Rhonda Oliver, 48, of New York as the pedestrian who was struck Sunday, October 15, 2017 on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth.

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

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sgt. A. Mendez of the Sussex County Collision Reconstruction Unit, Troop 7 at 302-703-3269

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1657

Newport – Further information indicates that I-495 southbound is shut down at the I-95 southbound split with all traffic being diverted on to DE 141.

I-495 is expected to be shut down for an extended amount of time, please seek alternate routes of travel.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories

Presented by Public Information, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1650

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Newport- All lanes of I-95 south-bound are closed due to a multi-vehicle crash which occurred at the I-495 south-bound split. All traffic is being diverted on to the DE 141 ramps.

I-95 is expected to be shut down for an extended amount of time, please seek alternate routes of travel.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories

Presented by Public Information, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1625

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Newark – Delaware State Police have arrested a Miami, Florida man who was in possession of over one kilogram of cocaine, after he was stopped for speeding on I-95 in Newark.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at approximately 8:45 a.m. when Troopers from the Delaware State Police Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) stopped a 1996 Peterbilt tractor trailer/car carrier, operated by Jorge R. Pupo, 36, of Miami, Florida for speeding on I-95 northbound in the area of the Delaware House Travel Plaza, Newark.

Troopers then conducted a routine safety inspection of the Peterbilt. Based on this inspection along with other investigative leads the two vehicles which were on the car carrier, a Kia Forte and Chevrolet Aveo, were off-loaded for further investigation. A Wilmington Police Department K-9 Unit responded to the scene and conducted a search of the two vehicles and gave a positive response for drugs when searching the Chevrolet Aveo.

Based on the K-9’s positive response a more detailed search of the vehicle was conducted by members of the Delaware State Police Drug Unit, with assistance from the DEA . The search produced a package which was concealed in a hidden compartment in the front passenger seat of the Aveo. The package contained approximately 1.2 kilograms of cocaine which has a street value of approximately $30,000.

Pupo who is currently on probation for drug trafficking out of Florida, was taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where he was arrested and charged with one count each of: Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, Manufacture, Deliver or Possess With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Non-Marijuana Related.

Pupo was arraigned at the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $20,500.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1605

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Dover– The following are not wanted.   This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification.  If you have information that any of the listed subjects are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Please click on thumbnails to enlarge.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101617 1330

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The Delaware State Police in partnership with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety have coordinated a multi-state traffic campaign to reduce serious and fatal crashes during National Teen Driver Safety Week.

The Delaware State Police are joining forces with 14 other states and local allied partners to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through traffic enforcement. These initiatives will be a contributing effort to support the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) initiative, “The Drive to Save Lives Campaign.” The IACP leaders’ goal is to change the high-risk behaviors of motorists in order to decrease the number of collisions through a greater awareness, education, strong partnerships, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

According to NHTSA, 2015 marked the largest increase in traffic fatalities since 1966. Also, the first half of 2016 revealed a similar pattern of increase.  The approximate 1,920 miles of I-95 has been ranked among the top 10 in fatalities for the past several years and furthermore, I-95 is the fifth most dangerous interstate in the U.S.

Distracted Driving fatalities increased 8.8% in 2015 and distracted driving is believed to be responsible for 10% of all fatal crashes.

With this initiative being held during National Teen Driver Safety Week it’s important to highlight the fact that half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before they graduate from high school. Also, according to the National Organization for Youth Safety:

• 66% of teen passengers who die in a crash are NOT wearing a seatbelt
• 58% of teens involved in crashes are distracted
• 25% of car crashes involved an underage drinking driver
• 5% of teen deaths in crashes are pedestrians and 10% are bicyclists

With the first six months of 2016 showing an increase in fatal crashes compared to the first six months of 2015, National Teen Driver Safety Week proved to be an appropriate time for this initiative.

On Friday, October 20^th and Saturday, October 21^st, 2017, law enforcement agencies in each state will conduct traffic enforcement along 1,920 miles of I-95 and other targeted roadways to keep motorists safe and reduce fatalities. The enforcement initiatives will focus on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, seatbelt use, pedestrian safety, as well as motorcycle and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement.

Click here for Pedestrian Safety Video

All 15 states that line Interstate 95 from Maine to Florida (Maine State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island State Police, Connecticut State Police, New York State Police, New Jersey State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, and the Florida Highway Patrol), will be participating in the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives in October” safe driving campaign, led and coordinated by the Delaware State Police.

The following municipalities– Bethany Beach Police Department, Camden Police Department, Cheswold Police Department, Clayton Police Department, Dagsboro Police Department, Delaware Capitol Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Elsmere Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Kenton Police Department, Laurel Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Selbyville Police Department and South Bethany Beach Police Department, will be participating in the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” by conducting traffic enforcement across the approximately 96 miles of the State of Delaware.

Delaware Troopers with support of their allied partners will be out in full force on Friday October 20^th, 2017 through Saturday, October 21^st, 2017 conducting traffic enforcement statewide by ground and air, targeting the following roadways, and others throughout the state:

New Castle County

I-95, I-495, SR-1

Kent County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

Sussex County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

“Directed traffic enforcement during the “I95 Drive to Save Lives” and the “I95 Drive to Save Lives Delaware” along with the “National Teen Driver Safety Week” displays our continued proactive commitment to maintain safer roads both within our state and to assist with national safety efforts. The Delaware State Police, working with our state and local allied partners, will aim to increase awareness of traffic safety to keep motorists safe and to reduce fatalities.”

Sergeant Richard D. Bratz, Delaware State Police

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

Released: 101617 1121

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