Newark- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined the crash occurred at approximately 4:03 a.m., Sunday, September 10, 2017, on Otts Chapel Road at I95 and involves two vehicles. At this time it is unknown how many people are injured and the extent of their injuries.

Otts Chapel Road in the area of the crash is closed and traffic is being diverted from the crash scene. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel and should expect lengthy delays in the area.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/#trafficBox1

Presented by the Director Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Released: 091017 0541

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Newark- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 4:01 a.m., Sunday, September 10, 2017, on SR 1 at SR 273 and involves one vehicle traveling southbound on SR 1 in the northbound lanes at an apparent high rate of speed. The vehicle struck an unknown object and caught fire. As a result of the crash the driver of the vehicle has been declared dead.

The southbound lanes of SR 1 are closed in the area of the crash and traffic is being diverted from the crash scene. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel and should expect lengthy delays in the area.

Please follow the Real Time Travel Advisories through DelDOT to get updates on the road opening by clicking: http://deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/#trafficBox1

Presented by the Director Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Released: 091017 0501

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Newark – Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a theft suspect that stole a zero turn riding mower.

This incident occurred today, September 9, 2017 at approximately 6:28 a.m. when an unknown white male suspect entered the business property of Atlantic Tractor, located at 2688 Pulaski Highway, Newark. The suspect, depicted in the surveillance photos, cut the security cable securing the riding lawn mowers. The suspect removed a 2017 John Deere Z930M Z-Trak zero turn riding mower, valued at $8500.00. The suspect then fled on Frenchtown Road towards Maryland. The suspect was last seen on Maloney Road, Elkton, Maryland traveling towards Pulaski Highway.

The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair, approximately 5’10” tall, 140 to 160 lbs. (Surveillance photo attached)

If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of this individual, they are asked to contact Corporal M. McCann at 302-365-8523. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

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

Released: 090917 1321

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Dover– The following are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notifications. If you have information 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.

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

Released: 090817 1731

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Newark-The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a kidnapping that occurred at a Newark area daycare center which resulted in the arrest of a 47-year old Newark man today.

The preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred today, Friday, September 8, 2017 at 7:08 a.m. as State Troopers and County Police responded to the area of Happy Kids Academy located at 273 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark for a disorderly subject. It was determined the male suspect rang the doorbell to the daycare and was met by a female employee, whom he pushed in the face upon entering the building. The suspect proceeded his way through the daycare into the infant room where he approached another female employee and engaged in a verbal confrontation. The suspect then struck her in the face with a closed fist. The suspect was able to pickup two infants from the floor and held each one under his arms as he walked to the front door of the daycare. The first female employee blocked the door with her body and refused to allow the suspect to exit the daycare, at the same time the other employee approached the suspect from behind and was able to pull one of the infants from the suspect. The other infant began to slowly fall from the suspects other arm at which time the employee safely grabbed her and got away from him. The suspect fled the daycare, striking a vehicle in the parking lot with a closed fist. It was reported he was last seen on foot into the area of Buckingham Palace Apartment Complex. A description of the suspect was broadcasted to responding officers who soon located the suspect as he was walking out from behind building 13 on Queen Circle. As the suspect walked toward the officers he was directed to show his hands multiple times and he refused to show his hands or stop. The officer deployed his Taser in order to stop the suspect from coming closer to him; however it was ineffective.  While trying to reload his Taser and put distance between himself and the suspect, the officer tripped on a curb causing him to fall backwards and sustain injury.  The officer, while on the ground was able to deploy another Taser round which struck the suspect in the chest, but again was ineffective. The Officer switched to the ASP baton and struck at the suspect to gain compliance at which point was able to take him into custody.

The officer was transported from the scene and treated at a local area hospital. One of the infant victims sustained a minor laceration during the incident.

The suspect was later identified as Calvin Davis, 47 of Newark. He was also transported to Christiana Hospital where he has been admitted for evaluation. Upon his release he will be charged with the following: two counts of Kidnapping 1^st Degree, Burglary 2rd Degree, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Arrest Felony, two counts of Assault 3rd Degree, Offensive Touching and Disorderly Conduct.

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

Released: 090817 1431

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Newark- Delaware State Police have arrested a Maryland man and charged him in connection with a series of robberies which he committed in Newark over the past week.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, Robbery Unit detectives arrested Victor J. Lasanta, 34 of Maryland. He was stopped by troopers in the 200 block of Chapman Road, Newark as he was traveling in a silver minivan. He was taken into custody without incident. Lasanta was transported to Troop 2 where detectives charged him with two counts of Robbery 1st Degree and two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $100,000.00 cash bond. Search warrants were executed at a residence and the silver minivan locating evidence linking Lasanta to the robberies.

The investigation began on Thursday, August 30, 2017, after troopers responded to the first two robberies of businesses located in the Newark area. After multiple interviews and the review of video surveillance footage, troopers were able to determine that the same suspect had committed the robberies of the following businesses:

1. Exxon 4600 Stanton Road, Newark Wednesday August 30, 2017 @ 3:39 p.m.
2. 7 Eleven 699 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark Sunday September 3, 2017 @ 8:58 p.m.
3. Exxon 820 South College Road, Newark September 4, 2017 @ 6:27 p.m.

Investigation continued into a robbery of an Exxon reported on Wednesday August 30, 2017. A white male suspect used a knife to compel the clerk to turn over money before fleeing. A silver minivan was suspected of being used to flee the scene. Through investigative measures detectives developed Victor Lasanta as the suspect.

A second robbery occurred at the 7 Eleven, reported on Sunday September 3, 2017. Again a white male used a knife to compel the clerk to turn over money before fleeing. The suspect fled this time on a bicycle into the adjacent subdivision of Todd Estates. Victor Lasanta was developed as the suspect involved in the robbery. Detectives located Lasanta’s minivan used in the Exxon robbery disabled on the roadway. Lasanta traveled to the minivan by bicycle further confirming suspicion of Lasanta’s involvement in both incidents.

At this time charges are pending for an attempted robbery which occurred on September 4, 2017 at 6:27 p.m. as officers responded to the Exxon located at 820 South College Avenue, Newark, for a robbery in progress in Newark Police Department’s jurisdiction. The clerk reported that the suspect approached him at the counter and presented an item for purchase.  A confrontation between the clerk and the suspect ensued when the suspect attempted to remove cash from the register.  The suspect attempted to remove an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the store in silver minivan.  The clerk received minor scrapes and bruises from his confrontation with the suspect, however refused medical treatment. Detectives had contact with Newark Police and confirmed through investigative means that Lasanta was the suspect involved in the robbery. The charges, Attempted Robbery, Offensive Touching and Criminal Mischief are pending at this time for the Newark Police Department. He is also wanted on traffic charges.

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

Released: 090817 1141

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Hockessin – The Delaware State Police arrested a Hockessin man for hate crimes which occurred in late August.

The preliminary investigation began on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at approximately 4:28 p.m. as a 56 year old male victim of Pennsylvania was at the Lantana Square Shopping center and had just left the Books and Tobacco Store, located at 212 Lantana Drive, Hockessin. As the victim walked to his vehicle, he heard the suspect yelling racial and ethnic insults as well as threatening statements to him and his family. The victim was able to get into his vehicle and leave the area.

Through investigative measures detectives were able to identify the suspect as Robert J. Fragale, 62 of Hockessin. Troopers located and arrested Fragale Tuesday night at his residence without incident for two counts of Hate Crimes, Harassment, Terroristic Threatening and Disorderly Conduct. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $4,500.00 unsecured bond.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident or may have been a previous victim they are asked to contact Detective D. Chorlton at Troop 2 at 365-8408 or email David.Chorlton@delaware.gov.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.

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

Released: 090817 1111

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Bear, DE – Troopers are investigating a crash in which an operator drove a vehicle into a building this morning.

The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 08, 2017 as Kymsheda Miller, 25 of New Castle, drove a 2001 Chrysler Sebring into the Integrity Staffing Solutions which is located in the middle of the Fox Run Shopping Center at 310 Fox Run Drive, Bear. The driver experienced an unknown medical issue and lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle pulled forward and accelerated over a sidewalk and struck the front door of the business with its front bumper. No one inside the building was injured.

The driver, Kymsheda Miller was treated at the scene by EMS and was then flown to the Christiana Hospital for further evaluation. She did not appear to have any life threatening injuries.

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

Released: 090817 1101

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Lincoln – Troopers are investigating  the death of a pedestrian who struck by a train south of Lincoln.

Preliminary investigation reveals the incident occurred around 9:25 p.m. Thursday September 7, 2017 when a southbound Delmarva Central Railroad train struck a pedestrian that was on the tracks. The subject, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The conductor was able to bring the train to a stop after the collision.

The investigation into this incident is in the early stages and more information will be released when it becomes available.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 090817 0920

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Milford – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist that occurred early Thursday morning.

Preliminary investigation reveals the incident occurred around 7:35 a.m. Thursday September 7, 2017 when Thomas H. Draper, 76 of Milford, was bicycling eastbound on Slaughter Beach Road in the area of Wells Road when he was struck by a 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck operated by Shawn E. Armstrong, 37 of Lewes, who was also traveling eastbound on Slaughter Beach Road.  The pickup truck stopped immediately after the collision and called 9-1-1.

Thomas Draper was initially transported to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital before being airlifted to Baltimore Shock Trauma in critical condition.  At approximately 2:37 a.m. Friday September 8, 2017, Thomas Draper died as a result of his injuries.

Shawn Armstrong was uninjured in the collision.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  Drug and alcohol use do not appear to be a factor in this case.  No charges have been filed at this time.  Slaughter Beach Road was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Click to view original release: State Police Investigating Serious Crash Involving Bicyclist

Released: 090817 0845

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