Harrington – Allied police agencies continue to operate on Dickerson Street. The subject continues to remain barricaded inside the residence.

The Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team and Conflict Management Teams are attempting to make contact with the male subject and are continuing to attempt to persuade him to surrender.

Residents in the area remain evacuated and roadways remain closed.

Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Please Click To View Original Release: Police Agencies on the Scene of a Barricaded Subject, Harrington

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 092517 1500

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Harrington – The Harrington Police Department with the assistance of the Delaware State Police are currently operating in the unit block of Dickerson Street for a report of a possible suicidal subject located in a residence.

The incident began at approximately 12:09 p.m. when the Harrington Police Department received a call for a possible suicidal male located inside a residence in the unit block of Dickerson Street.

Officers and troopers continue to assess the situation with no further details available at this time.

Several residences in the area of the incident have been evacuated as a precaution. Several roads in the area have been closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes of travel.

This is a preliminary release of information with additional updates as information is received.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 092517 1345

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Georgetown – Troopers are seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to identify suspects involved in car break-ins.

This incidents occurred around 2:00 a.m. Sunday September 24, 2017 when two individuals, depicted in the surveillance photos, were observed entering or attempting to enter vehicles parked in driveways along Leah Street, Fish Hook MHP. The suspects removed a wallet from one of the numerous vehicles before fleeing the area.

State Police have been investigating a rash of car break-ins throughout Kent and Sussex Counties where an undetermined number of suspects entered well over a dozen vehicles stealing items and also rummaging through unsecured vehicles.  The suspects have removed items ranging from purses to electronic devices, and U.S. currency.  In most of these cases the vehicles were parked in the victim’s driveways and were unsecured.

The Delaware State Police urge people to utilize the following tips:

• Lock your car doors and roll up you windows
• Do not leave valuables inside your vehicle
• Leave outdoor lights on in the driveway or have security lighting installed
• Report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1 immediately

If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of these individuals, they are asked to contact Detective T. Powell at 302-752-3807. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 092517 0750

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Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the death of a suspect that broke into a Coverdale area home.

The incident occurred around 11:54 p.m. Sunday September 24, 2017 when a 9-1-1 call was placed from the 11000 block of Iris Field Lane advising that a subject had been shot inside the residence.  Troopers arrived at the home and located an unresponsive adult male near the kitchen area with a gunshot wound to the upper torso.  The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin was pronounced dead at the scene by Sussex County Paramedics.

Preliminary investigation revealed an adult male resident was alone inside the house when two suspects broke in.  A struggle ensued with one of the suspects that was armed with a handgun when a single round was fired, striking the suspect in the upper torso.  The second suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.  The male resident was uninjured in the incident.

The second suspect that fled the scene was described as a male wearing all dark clothing and a mask over his face.

Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.  Additional information and investigative details will be disseminated as soon as it becomes available and the investigation progresses.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Detective M. Csapo at 302-698-8427. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

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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Released: 092517 0610

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Newark- Delaware State Police have arrested two people and have charged them in connection with a pair of armed robberies which occurred earlier this week in Newark.

The initial investigation began on Monday, September 18, 2017 at approximately 6:00 a.m., after troopers responded to the Motel 6, located at 100 McIntosh Plaza, in reference to a home invasion style robbery which had occurred. Upon their arrival, troopers were contacted by a 64-year-old male victim who advised that a male suspect had forced his way into his room and confronted him while displaying a handgun. The suspect then demanded that the victim contact his bank in order to determine how much money he had in his accounts. The suspect then forced the victim to exit the room with him so that they could respond to the victim’s bank and withdrawal funds from the accounts. As the victim exited the room, he fled on foot from the suspect across the motel parking lot. The suspect chased the victim and subsequently caught up to him. He then assaulted the victim before returning to the motel, where he and a female who had been in the victim’s room prior to the suspect’s arrival, both fled in the victim’s red 2014 Land Rover.

At approximately 7:47 a.m. on Monday, September 18th, troopers were called to respond to an armed robbery which had just occurred at the Exxon located at 263 E. Chestnut Hill Road. Upon their arrival troopers learned that a male suspect had entered the Exxon and displayed an unknown make and model hand gun and confronted a male clerk. The suspect then 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 removed a pair of boxes containing a variety of cigarette cartons and exited the store. He was last observed entering into a red Land Rover, which matched the description of the car which had been stolen from the victim of the robbery at the Motel 6. The male suspect also matched the description of the suspect from the Motel 6.

After further investigation, which included witness interviews and the collection of physical evidence, troopers were able to identify the female who had fled in the car as Candis N. Sanchez-Steever, 22, of Newark. They were also able to determine that Sanchez-Steever had befriended the victim of the Motel 6 robbery and then set him up to be robbed by the male suspect, later identified as William H. Piatt, 32, also of Newark.

On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, troopers were able to locate the stolen Land Rover in the parking lot of Gallaher Elementary School, located on N. Brownleaf Road, Newark and located further evidence linking Piatt to the robberies.

On Thursday, September, 22nd, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.), Troop 2 detectives, the Newark Police Department, and the New Castle County Police Department, executed search warrants at a residence located in the 200 block of Bluefield Road as well as a home located in the unit block of Dallas Road, Newark, which were linked to the suspects. Upon entering the Bluefield Road home, officers were able to take William Piatt into custody without incident. Officers were also able to take Candis Sanchez-Steever into custody without incident after entering the residence on Dallas Road. Evidence linking the suspects to the two robberies being investigated by the Delaware State Police, as well as robberies being investigated by the New Castle County Police and the Newark Police Department, was located inside of both homes.

William Piatt was transported to Troop 2 where he was arrested and charged with Home Invasion, Kidnapping 1st Degree, two counts of Robbery 1st Degree, two counts of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $205,000.00 cash bail.

Candis Sanchez-Steever was also transported to Troop 2 where she was charged with Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Home Invasion, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. She was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Delores Baylor Correctional Institution in default of $151,000.00 secured bail.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Released: 092217 1500

-end-

South Dover – Two Dover residents were arrested Thursday following a search warrant at a local motel.

The investigation began around 11:15 a.m. Thursday September 21, 2017 after members of the United States Marshalls Task Fore, Dover Police Department, and Delaware State Police took Cameron Norwood, 27, and Natasha Morris, 25, into custody at the Best Western, located at 1700 East Lebanon Road, due to Norwood being wanted for violation of probation.  A computer check also revealed Morris to be wanted on a capias out of Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

A search warrant was obtained on the hotel room as well as a 2000 Saturn Aura that Norwood is known to operate.  During the course of the search of the Saturn, detectives located 13,000 bags (91 grams) of heroin along with a fully loaded 9mm handgun.

Cameron Norwood and Natasha Morris were transported to Troop 3 in Camden where they were both charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Heroin), two counts of Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Conspiracy 2nd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  The were both arraigned at JP2 and remanded to the custody of the Department of Correction on $170,000.00 cash bond.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 092217 1140

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Lincoln – Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a pedestrian while he was walking along a roadway southeast of Lincoln.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at approximately 9:47 p.m., as a male victim was walking on Herring Branch Road near Oriole Lane.  It was around this time that the victim was approached from behind and struck in the back of the head with an unknown object, causing him to fall to the ground.  Once on the ground, the suspect took the victim’s wallet out of his pocket before fleeing the area in an unknown direction.  The victim was slightly injured in the incident and responded on his own to an area hospital where he was treated and released.

The suspect was described as a male with no further physical or clothing description.  Unknown if he was armed.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to 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 or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

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 Gary Fournier

Released: 092117 1130

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Rehoboth Beach – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Middletown woman after she assaulted her boyfriend and pointed a gun at him.

The incident occurred around 2:57 a.m. this morning, Wednesday September 20, 2017 when troopers were called to the 21000 block of Catalina Circle in the Sawgrass Development for a reported domestic situation with a gun.  Upon their arrival, the male victim immediately handed the trooper a fully loaded handgun and explained that he had to disarm his girlfriend after a physical altercation.

The investigation revealed Kimberley C. Cook, 54 of Middletown, and her boyfriend had just gone to sleep in the residence when the male victim was awoken to Cook laying on top of him, striking him repeatedly, and holding her arm across his neck, cutting off his airway.  The victim then bit Cook’s forearm while it was across his neck and pushed her off before gathering his belongings to leave.  Cook opened a nightstand drawer and removed a handgun from a holster, pointing the gun at him and telling him he wasn’t allowed to leave.  The male victim was able to calm the situation by talking to Cook and then disarming her before calling 9-1-1.

Kimberley Cook was transported to Troop 7 where she was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Strangulation, Aggravated Menacing, and Unlawful Imprisonment 1st.  She was arraigned at JP 2 and released on $31,000.00 unsecured bond.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 092017 1600

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Troopers are joining the Seaford Police Department and the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club for the 26th Annual Seaford Community Night Out-Against Crime and Drugs on Thursday, September 21, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   There will be free hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas for the first 500 people.  This will be held on the 300 block of Virginia Avenue between the Seaford Police Department and the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club.  Delaware Night Out gives everyone the opportunity to interact with first responders.

We have a host of invited specialty units and agencies. The Delaware State Police will showcase the Mounted Patrol Unit, the Evidence Detection Unit, the K-9 Unit with a demonstration, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Scuba, SORT, the Command Post, the Aviation Unit, the Collision Reconstruction Unit, Victim Services Specialists, and one of our “gators.”  The Chief, the Troop Commander and members of both agencies will be mixing and mingling amidst the event.  Numerous public safety partners will also be highlighted, including, but not limited to State Fire Marshal’s Office, Office of Highway Safety, the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Sussex County Paramedics, the Division of Consumer Protection, the Citizen Volunteer Corps, Young Marines, and many others.

We have extended invitations to a number of previously unrepresented groups. These include Sussex EOC with Smart 9-1-1 and Pulse Point, Teen Challenge and Stein Highway Church of God’s addiction programs, DATE and DNREC’s activity trailer.

All are welcomed to come out and enjoy the evening.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Website of the First State

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

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

Released: 092017 0931

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Smyrna – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has identified the 45-year-old Smyrna woman who was killed in the two vehicle crash which occurred on US13 at Black Diamond Road yesterday morning as Kelly A Brandenburg.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

Click on link to view first update.

Click on link to view original traffic advisory.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Released: 092017 0650

-end-