Claymont – Delaware State Police are currently investigating a carjacking which occurred at a Claymont area Wawa.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:29 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the Wawa, 2621 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont. A 29 year old Claymont woman was the operator of a vehicle with her 6 year old son as a rear seat passenger. The female victim pulled into the Wawa and parked in a space adjacent to the front doors of the store. She then turned off the ignition and exited the vehicle, leaving the keys. Her son also remained in the vehicle as she entered the store to make a purchase.

As the victim was waiting for her order she noticed a female subject watching her. She had previously observed this same female on the front sidewalk of the Wawa when she initially entered the store. The victim described this subject as a white female, 25-35 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a large build, long brown hair, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black leggings,  carrying a yellow blanket.

The investigation revealed that shortly after the victim noticed this subject watching her, she exited the store, entered the victim’s vehicle and drove away. The victim’s son saw that the subject who entered the vehicle was not his mother so he immediately exited the vehicle and ran into the Wawa. The child was able to exit the vehicle prior to it going in motion and was not injured as a result of the incident.

The vehicle is described as a 2008 Hyundai Sonata, silver in color, bearing Delaware registration 245559. The vehicle also had an Uber sticker on the rear window.

The vehicle was last seen southbound on Philadelphia Pike towards Wilmington. Troopers searched the area however they could not locate the vehicle.

If anyone can identify the subject in the attached photo or has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Delaware State Police Troop 1 at 302-761-6677. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101817 1817

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Bear – Delaware State Police have arrested a 17 year old Newark man for an attempted armed robbery which occurred during a drug deal.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:59 P.M., Saturday, October 14, 2017 in the parking lot of Moes Southwest Grill, located at 1241 Quintillo Dr., Bear.

An 18 year old Newark man was in the parking lot smoking a cigarette during his work break when an unknown make and model, dark colored vehicle pulled up beside him and stopped. The passenger side window was rolled down and the white male operator of the vehicle, later identified as Alyjah Thomas, 17 of Newark yelled “Loud Out”, which according to the victim, means “do you want to buy marijuana”. The victim then voluntarily entered the vehicle to engage in the drug transaction.

As the victim was seated in the vehicle, Thomas displayed a black handgun which was concealed in his waistband and demanded the victim’s wallet. The victim refused to comply at which time Thomas became agitated, removed the handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at the victim. The victim instinctually grabbed for the handgun and was able to wrestle it away from Thomas. Once gaining possession of the handgun the victim exited the vehicle and threw it across the parking lot. Thomas then drove to the area where the victim had thrown the handgun and retrieved it.

After retrieving the handgun, Thomas drove back towards the victim who was still in the lot, exited the vehicle and began physically assaulting him. During the altercation Thomas struck the victim multiple times in the back of the head with the handgun and also punched him in the face with a closed fist. After the assault, Thomas returned to his vehicle and fled in an unknown direction. The victim would eventually be transported to Christiana Hospital where he received treatment for a head laceration.

Responding Troopers were able to collect evidence at the scene which led to the positive identification of Thomas as the subject involved in the incident. During the course of the investigation Troopers were also able to determine that Thomas had changed vehicles and was now operating a gold Pontiac SUV. Troopers canvassing the area located the Pontiac in the parking lot of the Chick-fil-A, which is adjacent to Moes Southwest Grill. Thomas was confirmed to be the sole occupant of the Pontiac and was taken in to custody without incident.

Thomas was then transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where was arrested and charged with one count each of: Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree, Assault 2^nd Degree, Aggravated Menacing, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon.

Thomas was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and then committed to the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

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:

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/DSPNewsroom/>

Twitter <https://twitter.com/DEStatePolice>

Next-door <https://nextdoor.com/>

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101717 1530

Little Heaven – The Delaware State Police are releasing the name of the driver of the Kia Spectra involved in yesterday’s fatal crash in Little Heaven as Patricia M. Rolling, 58 of Houston.

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

**Update** State Police Investigating Serious Crash, Little Heaven

Click to view original release: **Traffic Advisory** State Police Investigating Serious Crash, Little Heaven

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 101717 1130

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Greenwood – Delaware State Police Troop 5 will be holding a Community Café on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. The event will held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Amity Coffee located at 13 Market Street, Greenwood.  The Community Café will have Troop 5 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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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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