Milton – The Delaware State Police are conducting an investigation into a domestic homicide north of Milton.

The incident occurred around 10:23 p.m. Thursday October 5, 2017, after neighbors called 9-1-1 to report that male and female in the 13000 block of Sunland Drive were having a domestic.  Troopers responded to the scene and learned that a 61-year-old male was armed with an unknown type firearm and his wife was in the house with him.  Troopers established a perimeter around the house and began communicating with the male subject over the phone who then began to make threatening statements toward the first responders.  As troopers were talking with the male subject, gunshots were heard inside the residence and communication was lost.  Shortly after the gunshots, a 9-1-1 call was placed from within the house by a 60-year-old female stating both her and the male subject had been shot.

Entry was made into the house and troopers located the male and female in a bedroom, where the male subject was pronounced dead by Sussex County Paramedics.  His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The female was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Beebe Healthcare before being airlifted to Christiana Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition.

This investigation is still in the early stages and homicide detectives are continuing to conduct interviews and collect 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 J. King at 302-698-8561. 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. 

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

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

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100617 1125

###

New Castle – Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a two vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer which occurred on US 13 northbound at the intersection with Saienni Blvd. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction on US 13.

Expect heavy delays in the area and please seek alternate routes of travel.

For further updates please visit the official DELDOT website at: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 100617 1120

Delaware – On Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Delaware State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 14th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

The locations for planned disposal monitored by the Delaware State Police will be at the following (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches):

New Castle County

• Delaware State Police Troop 2, 100 LaGrange Avenue, Newark, DE 19702
• Christiana Care, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713

Kent County

• Delaware State Police Troop 3, 3759 South State Street, Camden, DE 19934

Sussex County

• Delaware State Police Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.

Smyrna – Delaware State Police Troop 9  will be holding a Community Café on Friday, October 13, 2017. The event will held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Pinnacle Rehab & Health Center located at 3034 South DuPont Boulevard, Smyrna.  The Community Café will have Troop 9 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: 100617 0800

###

Townsend- Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a single vehicle crash at the intersection of US 13 northbound and Eagles Nest Landing Rd., Townsend. As a result of the crash a utility pole is down causing intermittent power outages as well as traffic delays.

Traffic lights at intersections extending from the crash scene northbound to DE 299 in Odessa have been reported as being out. Use extreme caution when travelling throughout this area.

Crews from DELDOT and Delmarva Power continue to work in the affected areas.

Traffic on US 13 northbound is restricted to one lane, causing delays. Please seek alternate routes of travel.

For further updates please visit the official DELDOT website at: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 100617 0755

-End-

Fenwick Island – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian.

The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. Thursday October 5, 2017 as a 50-year-old Fenwick Island man was operating a 2003 Ford F250 pickup southbound on Coastal Highway (SR1) approaching South Croppers Circle in the right lane.  A 24-year-old male, from Suffolk, Virginia, was with a group of subjects and vehicles that were parked on the southbound shoulder of the SR1, just south of South Croppers Circle, and was standing on the right edge of the right travel lane directly in the path of the truck.  As a result, the front right of the pickup struck the pedestrian, throwing him onto the southbound shoulder.  After the impact, the Ford truck continued southbound approximately one mile before stopping in the Sunrise Shopping Plaza in Fenwick Island.

The 24-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene.  His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The 50-year-old pickup truck operator was uninjured in the collision, but was transported to an area hospital for an undetermined medical condition.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident and no charges have been filed at this time.  It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor on behalf of the truck driver or the pedestrian.  SR1 southbound at South Croppers Circle was closed for approximately four and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100617 0640

###

The Delaware State Police would like to remind motorists that the deer rut and hunting season is fast-approaching during the months of October and November; therefore, we would like to help prevent the spike in deer-related crashes that typically occur every fall in Delaware. The friendly reminders will hopefully keep our drivers safe, more alert and will also lead them to slow down during this specific time of the year.

In 2016, there were a total of 2,042 animal/deer-related crashes with 1,010 deer crashes investigated in Sussex County; 441 in Kent County and 591 in New Castle County. Majority of deer activity resulting in crashes occurred during the dusk and dawn hour on main roads as well as back roads.

DelDOT (Delaware Department of Transportation) will place signs in all three counties to warn motorists of the potential of deer to dart out into the roadway at any particular time especially at the dusk and dawn hour.

Please be careful when traveling and keep a sharp eye out for deer crossing roadways, especially at dusk. Deer are even more active due to their annual mating season ‘rut’ in November with bucks chasing doe through fields, marshes and woods. The average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs approximately 130 pounds, with larger bucks tipping the scales at 180 pounds or more. With the increased white-tailed deer activity, Delaware motorists are kindly reminded to stay alert and to be ready for a deer to dart out into the roadway from dusk to dawn.

Attentive driving and slow speeds are the best ways to avoid deer crashes.

To reduce your risk of injury in a collision, always wear your seatbelt.

Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs that mark commonly-traveled areas, and be aware that deer typically cross between areas of cover, such as woods or where roads divide agricultural fields from woods.

Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten deer away. Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer crashes.

Do NOT feel more secure on highways just because they are better lit than back roads- speeds are higher and deer eyes are more difficult to see on highways- so drive cautiously and remain alert at all times.

Do NOT take your eyes off of the roadway. It’s that split second of changing the radio channel, or reaching for something that can make the difference to avoid a deer.

The Delaware State Police issues this traffic advisory and wishes you safe travel as you reach your destination.

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

Released: 100517 1421

-End-

Smyrna – Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a vehicle fire which occurred at approximately 7:19 a.m., Thursday October 5th, 2017 on State Route 1 northbound approximately 1 mile north of the Smyrna interchange. Traffic is restricted due to lane closures. Expect delays in this area and seek alternate routes of travel.

For further updates please visit the official Deldot website at: http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 100517 0740

-End-

Dover – State Police Criminal Investigators have arrested five people involved in a Kent County burglary ring.

Delaware State Police Troop 3 Property Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, concluded a three month joint burglary investigation involving defendant Christopher Bacon and Harry McKnight.   The investigation revealed that Bacon and McKnight committed numerous burglaries throughout western and northern Kent County, Smyrna and Caroline County Maryland beginning in July of 2017.  During the burglaries, the suspects would target residences and garages containing firearms, ammunition, lawn equipment, riding mowers, tools, jewelry, cash, and electronics, before selling the property for cash or trading it for narcotics.  During the course of the investigation residences in the 200 block of Wilson Private Drive, Smyrna and the 1000 block of Lentz Road, Henderson, Maryland were identified as destinations for the trade of stolen property.

On Thursday September 28, 2017, Troop 3 Property Crimes Unit, along with the Kent County Governor’s Task Force (GTF), and the Special Operations Response Team (SORT)executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of Wilson Private Drive in Smyrna where Vance L. Taylor and Gerald Edmonds were taken into custody without incident.  Upon conducting the search, two Mossberg shotguns, a Chinese SKS 47 rifle with scope and tripod, 112.65 grams of PCP, 10.42 grams of heroin, 5.13 grams of crack cocaine, 13.23 grams of cocaine, several hundred rounds of 7.62 ammunition, numerous pills, and $2,579.00 in suspected drug proceeds were located in the residence. The SKS rifle, scope, and bipod were reported stolen in a burglary near Hartly that was committed by Christopher Bacon, Harry Mcknight, and Greg Grantland.

Christopher Bacon, 38 of Hartly, was taken into custody on September 28, 2017 during a traffic stop and charged with three counts of Burglary 2^nd, Burglary 3^rd, Theft of Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Firearm, four counts of Felony Theft, Misdemeanor Theft, Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited, Conspiracy 2^nd, three counts of Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespass, four counts of Selling Stolen Property,  three counts Theft by False Pretense, and three counts of Falsifying Business records.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) on $15,805.00 cash bond.

Harry M. McKnight Jr., 44 of Henderson, Maryland, was taken into custody on September 28, 2017 during a traffic stop with Christopher Bacon and charged with three counts of Burglary 2^nd, Burglary 3^rd, Theft of Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Firearm, four counts of Felony Theft, Misdemeanor Theft, Conspiracy 2^nd, three counts of Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass. Committed to JTVCC on $8,005.00 cash bond.

Vance L. Taylor, 22 of Smyrna, was arrested on September 28, 2017 for three counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, four counts of Possession of Firearm or Ammunition by Person Prohibited, six counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Possession of a weapon with Obliterated Serial Number, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Conspiracy Second, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was committed to JTVCC in default of $130,700.00 cash bond

Gerald Edmonds, 23 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested on September 28, 2017 for three counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts Possession of Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, six counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Possession of a weapon with Obliterated Serial Number, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Conspiracy Second, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was committed to JTVCC in default of $121,450.00 cash bond.

Greg A. Grantland, 43 of Smyrna was arrested on October 3, 2017 for Burglary 2^nd, nine counts of Theft of a Firearm, Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by Person Prohibited, and Felony Theft.  He was committed to JTVCC in default of $131,100.00 cash bond.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100417 2000

###

Dover – The Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in numerous burglaries throughout Kent County.

The most recent incident occurred around 2:48 a.m. Wednesday October 4, 2017, when an alarm activation was received by the Kent County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) at the Uncle Willies located at 5485 South DuPont Highway, Woodside.  Troopers responded to the store and observed the glass to a door on the south side had been shattered.  Further investigation revealed the suspect(s) entered the store by using an unknown object to break the window and then removed an ATM machine before fleeing in an unknown direction.

A similar incident occurred around 2:40 a.m. Friday September 29, 2017, when an alarm activation was received by the Kent County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) at the Shore Stop located at 16381 South DuPont Highway, Harrington.  Troopers and Officers from Harrington Police Department responded to the store and observed the glass to a door on the north side had been shattered.  Further investigation revealed the suspect(s) entered the store by using an unknown object to break the window and then removed an ATM machine before fleeing in an unknown direction.

Detectives believe three other burglaries committed at Meineke (1312 South DuPont Highway, Dover), Ollie’s (1732 South Governors Avenue, Dover), and Burke’s Tire (3892 North DuPont Highway, Dover) are associated with this suspect(s).  In each of these incidents, the suspect(s) broke into the businesses and removed cash and a trailer was taken from Burke’s Tire.

The suspect depicted in the surveillance image appears to be a male wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, a beanie on his head, and a mask covering the lower portion of his face.  No other information is available on a possible second suspect.

If anyone has any information in reference to these incidents or the suspects involved, they are asked to contact Detective B. Beck at 302-698-8527. 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 Gary Fournier

Released: 100417 2000

###