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

Wilmington (19804) – The Delaware State Police are currently conducting a criminal investigation in reference to recent area vehicle thefts, at a home located in the 100 block of Stanton Road, Kiamensi Gardens. Although there is no immediate threat to the public, we are asking area residents to remain in their homes with their doors and windows locked until such time as the situation has been resolved. We also ask that commuters find alternate routes of travel around the area.

This investigation is in its early stages. More information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Released: 080917 1435

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Georgetown – The Delaware State Police are investigating an industrial accident that claimed the life of a Salisbury man earlier today.

The incident occurred around 1:08 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday August 8, 2017 when a 9-1-1 call was placed to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center advising that a man had been trapped under an automobile at Donovan Salvage Works Inc.  Troopers and Emergency Medical Personnel responded to 20262 Donovans Road where they located a 41-year-old male laying on the ground near a car.  Lifesaving steps were performed on the man who was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed the man, who was a customer, was attempting to remove a part from a vehicle in the yard and had used a jack to raise the vehicle and a spare tire was placed underneath as a buffer.  The car, which was on dirt and gravel, came dislodged from the jack and landed on top of the male.  Witnesses noticed the man under the car and ran to the office to alert them of the incident.  Workers responded with a fork lift and removed the vehicle prior to the arrival of EMS.  The victim was alone at the time of the incident and it is presently unknown how long he may have been trapped.

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science responded to the scene and removed the victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, to conduct an autopsy.  Foul play is not suspected.

Released: 080817 1650

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Felton – Troopers are seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to locate a stolen tractor and information identifying the thief or thieves.

This incident occurred sometime through the nighttime hours of Tuesday July 4, 2017 into Wednesday July 5, 2017 when a subject(s) forcefully entered and damaged two sheds on a chicken farm located in the 1000 block of Marshy Hope Road. Nothing was removed from the sheds. The suspect(s) then damaged a window to a pickup truck parked on the property before removing an orange 2015 Kubota tractor series L2256 with a 66 inch front end loader model LA525 (see attached photo of similar tractor).

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident or the identity of the individual(s) responsible, they are asked to contact Detective R. Wright at 302-698-8429. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Released: 080817 1405

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Laurel – State Police are requesting assistance in locating Keith W. Meekins, 40 of Bethel, who is wanted for Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Aggravated Menacing, Stalking, Terroristic Threatening, and Harassment.  He is also wanted out of Sussex County courts for capiases.

Meekins is wanted in connection with an alleged domestic incident that occurred between July 28, 2017 and August 7, 2017 when he continuously followed and harassed an ex-girlfriend by making threatening statements and pointing a gun at her.

If anyone has any information in reference to Keith Meekins’ whereabouts, they are asked to contact Troop 5 at 302-337-1090. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Released: 080817 1200

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Millsboro – Delaware State Police Troop 4 will be holding a Community Café on Friday, August 11, 2017. The event will held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Oak Orchard Diner located at 31507 Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro.  The Community Café will have Troop 4 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.

Released: 080817 1145

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

Newark – Delaware State Police is currently investigating a crash involving an overturned tractor-trailer which occurred this morning in Newark.

The investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, August 8, 2017, as Corey Saunders, 28, of Baltimore, MD., was operating a 2008 Freightliner tractor and trailer and was traveling on the ramp from I-95 southbound onto DE 896 (S. College Avenue) southbound. Saunders failed to negotiate the curve which caused the truck to strike a metal guard rail and overturn onto the left hand shoulder, where it came to rest.

Corey Saunders, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not injured. He was cited by troopers with Inattentive Driving.

The ramp from I-95 southbound to DE 896 southbound will be closed until the tractor-trailer can be up-righted and removed from the scene. Commuters should expect delays in the area and are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

**Please follow DelDOT on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/delawaredot/ or online at http://www.deldot.gov to get live updates of the road opening.**

Released: 080817 0825

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Georgetown – The 68-year-old motorcyclist involved in a crash with a DART bus on Friday has succumbed to his injuries.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 7:27 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017, as Selena Cannon, 51, of Bridgeville, was operating a 2009 DART bus and was stopped in the left hand turn lane from southbound S. Bedford Street into the DART bus yard, just north of US113 (DuPont Boulevard). As Cannon proceeded to cross the northbound lanes of S. Bedford Street, she pulled directly into the path a 2000 BMW motorcycle, which was being operated by a 68-year-old Georgetown man, and which was traveling northbound on S. Bedford Street. The front of the motorcycle then struck the front of the DART bus, causing the operator of the motorcycle, who was wearing a DOT approved helmet, to be ejected. He then struck the windshield of the bus.

The male operator of the motorcycle, who has been identified as James L. Barron, was removed from the scene by Delaware State Police helicopter (Trooper 2) and flown to the Christiana Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.  He died as a result of his injuries this morning, Monday August 7, 2017.

Selena Cannon was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was uninjured.  She was the sole occupant of the bus. She was cited by troopers with Failure to Yield the Right of Way on a Left Hand Turn.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  Alcohol and drug impairment on behalf of either operator are not factors in this case.  Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

Original Release: Troopers Investigate Serious Crash Involving DART Bus

Released: 080717 1520

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

Lincoln – Delaware State Police is currently investigating an incident in which shots were fired at a Lincoln man this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. this morning, Sunday, August 6, 2017, as a 39-year-old Lincoln man was inside of his residence located in the 20000 block of Jefferson Road. It was then that the victim heard a car engine revving and responded outside to investigate. The victim observed a red older model car, possibly a Volkswagen Jetta, at the bottom of his driveway. The operator of the car then fired numerous rounds from an unknown make and model handgun in the victim’s direction before fleeing northbound on Jefferson Road. The victim was not struck and was not injured.

At this time there are no suspects.

This case remains under investigation and the Delaware State Police is requesting anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Troop 4 302-856-5850. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Released: 080617 2100

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

Newark- The Delaware State Police are investigating a two vehicle crash in which one person was seriously injured that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 2:25 a.m. this morning, Sunday, August 6, 2017, as John Mathis, 47, of Newark, was operating a 2003 Acura TL and was attempt to make a left hand turn from westbound DE Rt. 273 (Christiana Road) into the parking lot of the Denny’s Restaurant, located at 80 McIntosh Plaza. As Mathis began to cross the eastbound lanes of Rt. 273, he traveled directly into the path of a 2006 Dodge Ram, which was traveling on eastbound Rt. 273, and which was being operated by a 37-year-old Bear, DE man. The right hand side of Mathis’ vehicle was then struck the front of the Dodge.

John Mathis, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics. He was then transported by EMS to the Christiana Hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries.

The 37-year-old operator of the Ram, as well as his 25-year-old female passenger, were both treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital where they were treated and released. Both were properly restrained at the time of the crash.

DE Rt. 273 was closed for approximately 2 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police and charges are expected.

Released: 080617 1545

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

Wilmington- Delaware State Police Financial Crimes Unit detectives have arrested a Newark woman after she fraudulently opened a credit card account and proceeded to use it to make numerous charges for her personal use.

The investigation began in March of 2017, after troopers were contacted by the president of the Dickinson Organ Theater Society of Wilmington, who advised them that upon checking the organization’s bank account, he noticed that someone had opened a credit card account in the organization’s name without his knowledge and had proceeded to charge over $62,000.00 worth of goods and services on the card. It was further learned that he, as well as the organization’s treasurer, Patricia N. Nicholas-Lundy, were listed as the authorized users on the account.

Through further investigation, detectives were able to determine that Nicholas-Lundy, had opened the credit card without the organization’s knowledge and had proceeded to make multiple charges on it, which included paying for her wedding. Nicholas-Lundy would then use the organization’s checking account to make the payments on the card.

On Friday, August 4, 2017, Patricia Nicholas-Lundy, 42, turned herself in to detectives at Troop 2. She was then arrested and charged with Felony Theft and Unlawful Use of a Payment Card. Nicholas-Lundy was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $20,000.00 unsecured bail.

Released: 080617 1300

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