Milton – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident in which shots were fired at a residence on Cool Spring Road.

The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday September 12, 2017 as troopers responded to the 19000 block of Cool Spring Road for a report of shots fired in the area.  When troopers arrived, they were contacted by the homeowner who advised there were multiple gunshots fired at their house.  Several bullet holes were located on the exterior and interior of the home where three adults were sleeping at the time.  None of the residents, to include two males and one female, were injured as a result.

At this time there are no suspects.

This case remains under investigation and the Delaware State Police is requesting any information regarding this incident to contact Detective K. Wideman at 302-752-3832. 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: 091217 1610

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Dover – The Delaware State Police are now accepting applications for the position of Cadet Trooper.

The Cadet Trooper’s primary duties include the enforcement of handicap parking and fire lane violations, however they are also used in various administrative duties such as traffic control at large events and foot patrol at the State Fair. The Cadets will complete 40 hours of mandatory classroom instruction and will be assigned to various troops throughout the state.  Since the program began in 1998, the Delaware State Police have hired 69 Cadet Troopers.  22 of those cadets have been hired as Delaware State Troopers.   

Minimum Qualifications to become a cadet includes:

• Education- Candidates must be a Delaware resident and currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college in the state of Delaware (full-time or part-time)
• Age- Candidates must be between the ages of 18-21
• Citizenship- Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• Driver’s License- Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license 

Selection Process includes:

• A formal State of Delaware application
• An Oral Board Interview
• Polygraph Examination
• A Background Check

An online application can be found by clicking on the following link: www.becomeatrooper.com.  Once at that page, scroll halfway down the page and click on Important Documents.  The Cadet Application will be found on that page.  The deadline for receiving the applications is Friday October 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.  Completed applications should be mailed to: Delaware State Police – Recruiting Office, P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903.  Any questions should be directed to the Delaware State Police Recruiting Office at 302-739-5980 or dsprecruiting@delaware.gov.

Released: 091217 1540

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Imagine a profession where you get to work among Delaware’s finest while providing the very best law enforcement services and making a positive impact on your community.

Lieutenant Andrea Boone has built a remarkable career and has such a job. She exemplifies self-sacrifice and diligence in a career she and her family can be most proud of. As a result of her recent advancement and job assignment as the new Assistant Director of the Delaware State Police Human Resources Section, she became the first African-American female trooper in our 94 year history to be promoted to the prestigious rank of Lieutenant.

When Lt. Boone called her mother to share the exciting news about a congratulatory call from Colonel McQueen, she recalled her mother Laura proudly shouting, “Finally!” And repeatedly stating, “I’m so proud, I’m so happy for you…”

Becoming a Trooper
Lieutenant Boone clearly remembers being introduced to the grandiose idea of becoming one of Delaware’s finest like it was yesterday. While working in her initial dream job, at that time as a manager and trainer of other managers for Circuit City Incorporated, she learned from a family member that the Delaware State Police was actively recruiting the very best. She challenged herself and stepped out on faith and initiated the rigorous application process. Joining the State Police family seemed like the perfect choice due to her sincere desire to provide a high level of customer service to the public.

In August of 1995, Andrea visited Troop 2 in Newark and sought an application to become a member of the Delaware State Police. The following day she informed her supervisor of her well-thought out decision to change careers. At that time her supervisor inquired as to what he could do to get her to change her mind. Although, she was apprehensive about leaving the career she loved and invested so much time into, she informed her supervisor that her head and her heart led her to believe this was the right thing for her to do at the right time. Lt. Boone stated, “that was the beginning of my career with the Delaware State Police…I have wondered where I would be today, if I hadn’t made that life changing decision at that time, however, I have never regretted my decision nor have I ever looked back.”

Our Past
When the state police was shaped in 1923 as the Delaware State Highway Police, the agency was comprised of an all-white male force until the first African American, William W. Bessix, was selected as a trooper in 1969. In 1975, Cynthia Lowden and Georgia Carter were the first women appointed as troopers with the Division and became the first female state troopers to graduate from the Delaware State Police training academy. Today The Delaware State Police has 96 female Troopers.

Career
Lieutenant Andrea Boone was hired on March 16, 1996 into the 65^th Delaware State Police Recruit Class. She began her career assigned to Troop 1 and Troop 6 during her Field Training Officers’ Program and then was later assigned to uniformed patrol at Troop 6, Prices Corner. Lt. Boone was promoted to Trooper First Class on March 16, 1998 and then Corporal on March 16, 2000. In August of 2001 she was assigned to Troop 2, Glasgow as a School Resource Officer working at the Red Clay and Christina School Districts as well as the Saint Georges Technical School.

While managing her career as a Trooper, Lt. Boone attended Wilmington University and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice in 2005. Boone was encouraged by several adjunct professors to consider instructing at Wilmington University. She completed the process to become an adjunct instructor and taught several classes at multiple locations during 2006-2008.

In 2007 she was promoted to Senior Corporal and was assigned to the Conflict Management Team until June 15, 2009 when she became a member of the Executive Protection Unit. On March 16, 2010 she was promoted to Master Corporal and in a few short months temporarily assigned to the Academy as a TAC officer alternating weekly assignments. On August 30, 2010 she returned to the Executive Protection Unit.

August 10, 2014 she was promoted to Sergeant and spent 15 months at Troop 1 and later was assigned to Troop 9 before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and is currently assigned as the Deputy Director of the Human Resources Division, effective August 13, 2017. Lt. Boone has also been a member of The Delaware State Police Honor Guard for the last 18 years.

An Honor
Lieutenant Andrea Boone lives by the rich tradition established by those troopers who preceded her and continues to build upon their legacies, recognizing that the road to success requires dedication, loyalty, and hard work.

“I’m truly honored, and it is indeed a privilege, to have been selected as a Lieutenant with the Delaware State Police.  I’m equally honored to have been selected as the Assistant Director of Human Resources. I attribute my successes to first of all prayer, because I truly believe that prayer works.  I also attribute it to hard work, the unwavering support of many, many, many family members and friends and that includes co-workers, and certainly to those that came before me and paved the way because without them I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here today. You know someone once told me the secret to getting ahead is getting started, and that I truly believe.  And so I challenge each of you today to get started learning more about the Delaware State Police by logging onto our website www.becomeatrooper.com.   Thank you.”

Lieutenant Andrea Boone
Assistant Director of the Human Resources Section

“Andrea Boone’s promotion to the rank of Lieutenant is the result of a distinguished career and one I fully expect to continue as she assumes her new role as the Assistant Director of the Human Resources Section. This significant achievement is a historic first, to be celebrated as she becomes the first African-American female to achieve this rank and position.”

Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr.
Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

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

Released: 091117 2021

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Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police have arrested a tire thief after he abandoned his car at the dealership and was found walking along the road.

Troopers responded to The Car Store, located at 9335 Beach Highway, around 4:56 a.m. Sunday September 10, 2017 after a suspicious subject wearing dark clothing and a ski mask was reported to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) in the parking lot.  Upon the troopers arrival, the suspect was no where to be found, but a tan in color Chevrolet Tahoe with District of Columbia registration was located in the parking lot with two sets of truck tires resting on the ground next to it.  A search of the area revealed two pick up trucks had all of their tires removed and were sitting on bricks, causing damage to the brake rotors.  A third pickup truck was located on the lot with the lug nuts removed but the tire had not yet been removed.

Surveillance video was reviewed with the business owner which captured the suspect fleeing in a westerly direction as the initial trooper arrived on scene.  A computer check of the registration revealed the owner of the Tahoe to be a Ernest S. Covington, 49 of Washington, DC.  Troopers began searching the area for the fleeing subject and were able to make contact with a witness around 7:00 a.m. who saw a person near the intersection of Seashore Highway and Scotts Store Road wearing dark colored clothing.  At approximately 8:00 a.m. a trooper located a subject walking in a westerly direction on Seashore Highway, just west of Farmer Genes Market (4213 Seashore Highway) with a bag of chips and sodas in his hands.  A traffic stop was conducted on the adult male, and upon questioning his identity, he gave a false name.  A pat-down search was conducted on the man, who was found to be in possession of traffic camera citation that contained a photo of the Tahoe and registration as well as a key for the same vehicle that was located at The Car Store.

While Covington was positively identified and being transported back to Troop 5, a burglary was being reported from Farmer Genes Market.  The investigation revealed a subject had forced entry into the building by forcibly removing an A/C unit and once inside, the suspect removed change from a tip jar as well as an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, which was later located outside the same window with damage to the till.  Also stolen was a bag of chips, soda, and some slim jims, all which was located on Covington upon his arrest.

Ernest Covington was charged with Burglary 3rd, Theft over $1500, Theft under $1500, Attempted Theft under $1500, two counts of Criminal Mischief, Criminal Impersonation, Possession of Burglary Tools, Hindering Prosecution, and Criminal Trespass 3rd.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $15,100.00 cash bond.

The investigations into the thefts of automobile tires in the Kent and Sussex county areas are continuing by detectives and more charges may be forthcoming for Covington.

Click to view: Detectives Seek Publics Assistance in Identifying Theft Suspect(s)

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 091117 1520

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Newark – The Delaware State Police are releasing the name of the 25-year-old Smyrna man that was killed in the early Sunday morning crash as Peter V. Bonsignore.

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

Troopers Investigating Single Vehicle Fatal Crash – Newark

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

Released: 091117 1301

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Magnolia – The Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit has arrested six people after the culmination of a month long investigation into illegal drug sales from a residence.

On Thursday, September 7, 2017 members of Kent County Drug Unit, with the assistance of the Kent County Governor’s Task Force and the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Woodville Road, Magnolia, Kent County, Delaware. SORT members contacted Dennise Neill, 23 of Viola, Eric Huffstutler, 37 of Frederica and Eric Garrison, 36 of Frederica in the area of a black Dodge Caliber which was parked in the driveway.  They were taken into custody without incident. Sonia Griffin, 52 of Magnolia was taken into custody on the back deck without incident. Frank Ramos, 56 of Magnolia was located in the area and returned him to the residence. Upon arrival, an unknown subject, later identified as Christopher L. Jones, 47 of Dover fled on foot. Troopers and a K9 unit later apprehended the suspect after locating him hiding at a nearby trailer.

A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 1.23 grams of marijuana and a crack pipe. A search of Neill revealed  over $1,400.00 in suspected drug proceeds.  A search of Huffstutler revealed four bags of heroin (.028 grams) and .93 grams of crack cocaine.  A search of Garrison initially revealed over $2,400.00 in suspected drug proceeds and 8- Oxycodone 15 mg pills.  A search of the residence revealed an additional 67 bags of heroin (.469 grams), 123.72 grams of marijuana, .14 grams of crack cocaine, 2- Suboxone 12 mg strips, digital scales, packaging materials, and a ledger.

All six subjects were transported back to Troop 3 where they were charged with the following:

Frank Ramos and Sonia Griffin were charged with Maintaining a Drug Property, three counts of Drug Dealing (heroin, crack, marijuana), Conspiracy 2nd Degree, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Paraphernalia.  They were out on bond from previous Drug Dealing/Weapons charges stemming from a search warrant executed on August 10, 2017.  Both were arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 2 and were both issued a $37,000.00 cash bond and their bond from the previous charges were revoked.  Ramos was committed to the James T. Vaugh Correctional Center and Griffin was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Center.

Dennise C. Neill was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia and later released.

Eric S. Huffstutler was charged with Possession of Crack, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and later released on a $3,000.00 unsecured bond.

Eric V. Garrison was charged with Drug Dealing (pills) and arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2, later released on a $4,000.00 unsecured bond.

Christopher L. Jones will be charged with Felony Resisting, Tampering with Evidence, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree, and is currently wanted on a capias for Child Support. These warrants are currently pending and will be executed on Monday, September 11, 2017.  Jones was treated at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital for the dog bite.  He was arraigned by a magistrate at the hospital and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in default of $9,000.00 cash bond for the capias.  Department of Corrections personnel responded to the hospital and took custody of Jones.

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

Released: 091017 2231

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Bear – Delaware State Police are currently investigating the armed robbery of a Bear area hotel that occurred this past week.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 3:00 a.m. as a male suspect entered the Best Western Hotel located at 875 Pulaski Highway, Bear. The suspect approached the clerk at the counter and displayed an unknown make and model handgun and demanded money from the register. The suspect then grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and fled the hotel in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male in his 20’s wearing dark clothing with his head covered armed with an unknown handgun.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2, Glasgow, 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.

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: 091017 2121

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Delaware– What are the Delaware State Police Explorers and what do they do?

Wilmington – State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a shoplifting suspect who has stolen approximately $2,000.00 worth of clothing and other related merchandise this past Friday.

This incident occurred on Friday, September 8, 2017 at approximately 9:09 p.m., at the Old Navy Store located at 3020 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington. The suspect entered the store and proceeded to remove assorted clothing. The suspect then exited the business without rendering payment.

The suspect is described as a black female, 30-40 years of age, 5’06” tall, 140 lbs., (Surveillance photos attached)

If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of this individual, they are asked to contact Master Corporal R. Deskis at 302-761-6677. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Presented by the Director Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

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Released: 091017 1051

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Newark – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that claimed the life of a man early this morning.

The preliminary investigation determined the crash occurred at approximately 3:58 a.m., Sunday, September 10, 2017 as the driver of a 2008 Mercedes E350 was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of SR 1 from the area of DE Rt. 72. The vehicle drifted into the grass median and continued in a northerly direction until it struck a cement wall where SR 1 crosses over SR 273.  The Mercedes rebounded a short distance off of the wall and came to a stop in the median.  The vehicle subsequently caught fire and was extinguished by rescue personnel.

The driver who was not wearing his seatbelt and sustained serious injuries and was transported to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. The victim’s name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin. It is unknown if alcohol or drug use on the part of the victim was a factor in the crash.

The left lane of DE Rt. 1 southbound was closed for approximately one hour while the crash was investigated and cleared.

**Traffic Advisory** – Troopers Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash-Newark

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 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: 091017 0741

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