Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit has arrested a 31-year-old Milford man after he fled from the scene of an automobile crash.

The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. Monday May 15, 2017 when a male subject was observed by witnesses operating a 2010 Toyota Corolla eastbound on Seashore Highway (SR18/404) approaching Coverdale Road.  The Corolla was passing vehicles on the right shoulder when it travelled off the south side of the road and struck a ditch.  The car then overturned multiple times before coming to a stop after striking a tree.  The operator, and lone occupant, was then seen exiting the vehicle and fleeing southbound on foot through a wooded area and into a field.

Trooper 2 was flying in the area due to a pursuit that had been initiated by Milton Police Department with the Toyota Corolla, but was discontinued by the pursuing officers approximately five minutes earlier.  The helicopter crew was informed of the crash and located the operator running through an open field.  The trooper pilot was able to lower the aircraft into a position to block the suspect’s egress and the trooper medic was able to expeditiously exit the helicopter and place the subject on the ground before the two person crew handcuffed him and took him into custody without further incident.

The operator, who was identified as Steven D. Martin, 31 of Milford, was turned over to Milton Police Department to face charges stemming from their pursuit.  He was also charged by state troopers for Reckless Driving, Failure to Have Insurance in Possession, and Passing on the Right.  He was arraigned on those charges and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $350.00 secured bond.

Please contact Chief Robert Longo of the Milton Police Department at 302-684-8547 for information regarding their investigation and charges involving the pursuit.

Released: 051617 0735

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

New Castle (19720) – Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a New Castle area 7-11 in which a female employee was assaulted that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning, Monday, May 15, 2017, as a male suspect entered the 7-11 located at 284 Christiana Road. The suspect approached the sales counter where he then displayed a knife and confronted a female clerk. The suspect then demanded money and cigarettes from the employee. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes to him. The suspect then proceeded to physically and sexually assault the female clerk. He then began to exit the store, however, prior to leaving, the suspect attempted to obtain money from a female customer who had entered the 7-11. The customer refused to comply with the suspect’s demand at which time he exited the store and was last seen fleeing in a westbound direction through the parking lot.

The female clerk was treated at the scene by EMS. She was then transported to a local hospital where she was treated for her non-life threatening injuries. The female customer was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 5’10”- 6’00” tall, with a large build and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket or sweatshirt, black pants, black boots, and a ski mask. There is no further physical or clothing description available. No video surveillance photos are available to be released at this time.

The Delaware State Police would like to remind the business community that robbery prevention is something business owners need to cover with new hires as well as current employees on a regular basis.

Anytime there is money in a place, there is a chance that someone will want that money, and is willing to use force to get it. You can take some simple steps to help reduce the chances that you, or your business, will be robbed. There is no way to fully prevent robbery, but you can reduce the odds of becoming a victim. 

Methods for Discouraging a Robber

• Lock unused doors.
• Avoid working alone. If you must work alone, turn on a radio or TV so robbers will think there is someone with you.
• Vary the schedule and route you take for your bank deposits each day, keep only the necessary cash on hand.
• Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passers-by.
• Avoid placing signs or displays near windows, because they block visibility from the street.
• Display signs at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys, which are not in the possession of employees.
• Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations.
• Place colored markings at the exits to estimate the suspect’s height as they leave.
• A robbery may be over in less than a minute. You need a quick eye to get a good look at the robber. That’s why some stores place hidden cameras behind cash registers.

If a Robbery Occurs

• Call police immediately by dialing 9-1-1, before calling anyone else.
• Someone points a gun at you and demands your money. What do you do? Give it to him/her! Never refuse a robber.
• Remain calm. You will be able to give a better description to the police. Most robbers do not harm the victim.
• Do not resist. Cooperate with the robber, but do not volunteer any information or do anything other than what he asks. He may be armed and may harm you or others if you do not cooperate. Listen carefully to him/her, and pay attention to the robber’s appearance and demeanor.
• Try to avoid sudden moves. Many robbers are just as nervous as you are.
• The most important thing to do if you’re robbed is to do as you’re told and try to observe. The description of the suspect that you give to the police may be the only information they have to work with.

Steps to Take After a Robbery

• Wait until the suspect has left the store and then sound the alarm.
• Call 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher the name and address of your business. Give a brief description of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle if known.
• Ask customers to stay and wait for the police.
• When your witnesses have agreed to stay, lock the doors until the police arrive.
• Preserve the crime scene and make sure the witnesses are aware that they should not touch anything that the suspect may have touched.
• Ask all witnesses and staff members to write down their observations of the suspect description.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective J. Paul Doherty at 302-365-8438. 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.”

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Released: 051517 2030

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Angola/Long Neck – The Delaware State Police, Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit are releasing surveillance photos of a suspect involved in the area robberies.

The photos released are that of a white male, 25 – 30 years of age, 5’06” – 5’10” tall.  He is armed with an unknown type of handgun.

The following are links to robberies that have occurred over the last month:

Click to view May 1st robberies: Detectives Conduct Two Separate Robbery Investigations

Click to view April 23rd robbery: Troopers Investigating Robbery of Long Neck Area Walgreens

Click to view April 18th robbery: State Police Investigating Robbery of Millsboro Dollar General

If anyone has any information in reference to any of these incidents or are able to identify this suspect, they are asked to contact Detective D. Cathell at 302-752-3793 or Detective T. Williams-Snipes at 302-752-3897. 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.”

Released: 051517 1530

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

Wilmington- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has identified the 53-year-old male pedestrian who was struck and killed on I-95 in Wilmington on Saturday, May 13, 2017, as James Stokes.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

Released: 051517 1355

Please click on link to view original news release.

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

Wilmington (19804) – Delaware State Police are currently investigating an assault in which a male victim was stabbed that occurred at an area dollar store on Saturday.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017, as a male employee of the Dollar General, located at 1402 E. Newport Pike, Wilmington, became involved in a confrontation with a male and female suspect after they were observed shoplifting from the store. It was at this time that the store manager was summoned and responded to the front of the store. As the confrontation escalated, the manager stepped in between the store employee and the female suspect in order to keep them separated. The male suspect then produced a box cutter style knife and proceeded to stab the store manager in the arm. The male and female suspect then exited the store and were last seen fleeing eastbound on Maryland Avenue in a dark blue Nissan Sentra with tinted windows.

The victim was treated at the scene by EMS before being transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for his non-life threatening injuries.

The first suspect was described as a black female. She was 25-30 years of age, 5’04”- 5’06” tall, weighed approximately 140 lbs., and had black hair.

The second suspect was described as a black male. He was 40-45 years of age, 5’08”- 5’10” tall, and weighed 150-160 lbs. There is no further description of either suspect available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident or knows the identity of the pictured suspects, they are asked to contact Detective Amy Lloyd at Troop 2 at 302-365-8411. 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.”

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Released: 051517 1050

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

Wilmington (19803)- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a Wilmington area cellular phone store that occurred on Thursday.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017, as a male suspect entered the Metro PCS store located at 2907 Concord Pike. The suspect then approached the sales counter where he confronted a female clerk and demanded money and cell phones from her. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and cell phones to him. The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 5’10”-6’00” tall, weighed 190-200 lbs., and was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and had a bandana partially covering his face. There is no further physical or clothing description available. No video surveillance photos are available to be released at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at 302-365-8566. 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.”

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Released: 051317 1000

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

Wilmington- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are currently investigating a fatal hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred this morning in Wilmington.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 3:36 a.m. this morning, Saturday, May 13, 2017, as an unknown subject was operating a silver or gray Nissan and was traveling on I-95 southbound approaching Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Nissan then struck a 53-year-old Wilmington man who was walking on the highway for an unknown reason. It then fled the scene without stopping.

The male victim was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics. He was then transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time pending the notification of his next of kin. It is unknown if alcohol or drug use on the part of the pedestrian was a factor in this crash

The southbound right hand lane and the exit for Martin Luther King Boulevard were closed for approximately 2 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Sergeant Philip Dzielak at 302-365-8484. 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 Jeffrey R. Hale

Georgetown- Delaware State Police have arrested an 18-year-old man after he made online threats toward Sussex Central High School in late March.

The initial investigation began on Thursday, March 30, 2017, after Troopers received information that a subject had posted several threatening comments directed toward Sussex Central High School on social media. As a result of the posts, multiple troopers responded to the school on Friday, March 31, in order to provide additional security. No incidents occurred at the school, however.

Through further investigation, troopers were able to trace the the online posts to the home of a 12th grade student of the school, Zefryn Stillman, 18, of Millsboro. On Friday, May 12, 2017, a search warrant was obtained for Stillman’s residence located in the 28000 block of Cedar Street, and upon the execution of the warrant, evidence linking Stillman to the incident was located.

Zefryn Stillman was arrested and charged with felony Terroristic Threatening. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $2500.00 unsecured bond.

A mugshot of Zefryn Stillman is not available at this time.

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Released: 051317 0845

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

Dover– The following are not wanted.   This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification.  If you have information that any of 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 or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

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

DELAWARE—In recognition of Police Week from May 14-20, the Delaware State Police Community Outreach Unit is sponsoring an art contest for students in kindergarten through 6th grade.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Police Protecting Our Community”. Children are invited to submit artwork reflecting this theme.  The contest is open to any child who lives or attends school in Delaware.

Artwork should be no larger than 12 inches by 18 inches and must be flat and not 3-Dimensional. Students may use crayons, chalk, colored pencils, charcoal, water colors, oil pastels or markers.  Projects should be completed by students only and be turned in with a completed entry form attached to the back of the art.   Forms are available at the front desk at all Delaware State Police Troop locations and are available for download at http://dsp.delaware.gov/community_outreach.shtml.

Contest entries should be hand-delivered to a local Delaware State Police Troop location by 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017:

• Troop 1: 603 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809 (Cpl/3 Mike Austin)
• Troop 2: 100 Lagrange Ave., Newark, DE 19702 (Cpl/3 Mike Austin)
• Troop 3: 3759 South State St., Camden, DE 19934 (Cpl/1 Heather Imhof)
• Troop 4: 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown, DE 19947 (Cpl/2 Juanita Huey)
• Troop 5: 9265 Public Safety Way, Bridgeville, DE 19933 (Cpl/2 Juanita Huey)
• Troop 6: 3301 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808 (Cpl/3 Mike Austin)
• Troop 7: 18006 Coastal Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958 (Cpl/3 Rickey Hargis)
• Troop 9: 414 Main Street, Odessa, DE 19730 (Cpl/1 Heather Imhof)

For additional questions, contact your local Delaware State Police Community Outreach Officer (See below).

Northern New Castle County- CPL/3 Mike Austin 365-8466 (Michael.Austin@delaware.gov)

Southern New Castle County & KENT- CPL/1 Heather Imhof 672-5431 (Heather.Imhof@delaware.gov)

Western Sussex County- CPL/2 Juanita Huey 232-3459 (Juanita.Huey-Smith@delaware.gov)

Eastern Sussex County– CPL/3 Rickey Hargis 752-3804 (Rickey.Hargis@delaware.gov)

Released: 051217 1301

-End-