***Media Alert – Press Conference, Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.***

Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard Bratz

Delaware State Police will be holding a press conference at Room 1100 at Christiana Hospital in Newark.

Media should plan to:

• Enter the Christiana Hospital Campus from Route 4
• Follow signs for valet parking (toward the main entrance of Christiana Hospital)
• Park outside the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center
• Use the Center for Heart and Vascular Health Entrance to enter Christiana Hospital

Media will be escorted to Room 1100 for the press conference.

Released: 042617 1534

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Presented by the Director of Public Information, Sgt. Richard Bratz

Newark- Delaware State Police will be conducting a news conference in reference to the shooting of the Delaware State Trooper that occurred this afternoon at the Wawa located at 1605 Pulaski Highway, Newark.

The press conference will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Room 1100 (near the main entrance) of the Christiana Hospital, located at 4755 Ogletown-Stanton, Road, Newark.

Released: 042617 1527

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

Middletown – Multiple police agencies are on the scene of a shots fired complaint in the 500 block of St. Michaels Drive, Brick Mill Farm Development. This investigation is related to the incident in which a trooper was shot outside a Newark area convenience store.  A male suspect has refused orders to surrender and continues to fire rounds at police officers.

No further details are available at this time and updates regarding this incident will be sent hourly or until the situation is resolved.

Residents in the area are advised to stay inside their homes and lock their doors until notified otherwise.

Brick Mill Road is currently closed between Marl Pit Road and Middletown Odessa Road (SR299). Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

Released: 042617 1502

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

Newark – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shooting of a trooper in the parking lot of the Wawa located at 1605 Pulaski Highway.

The investigation is in its early stages and more information will be disseminated at a later time.

Traffic is congested in the area, commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

Released: 042617  1406

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Wyoming, DE – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a crash that occurred in the beginning of April resulting in a fatality.

The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. Monday April 2, 2017 as Robert Machalski Jr., 51 of Hartly, was operating a 2006 Dodge Caravan westbound on Westville Road, just east of Almshouse Road approaching a right curve.  The Caravan failed to negotiate the curve, traveling off the south side of the roadway where it struck a ditch and overturned before coming to a stop.

Robert Machalski was properly restrained and transported to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted in critical condition until he died on Tuesday April 18, 2017.

Speed may have been a factor in this case although there is no evidence of alcohol or drugs being contributing factors.

Released: 042517 1540

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Delaware – On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Delaware State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th 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 October, 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 4, 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
• Delaware State Police Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.

Released: 042517 0920

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Long Neck – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery of a Long Neck area store that occurred last evening.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred at approximately 9:01 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2017, as a male suspect armed with an unknown type handgun entered the Walgreens, located at 26191 John J. Williams Highway. The suspect approached the store employee and demanded cash. The employee complied with the demanded and turned over an undisclosed amount of money before exiting the store and fleeing in an unknown direction.  The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as white male approximately 5’06” to 5’10” tall, wearing dark colored clothing with his face covered, armed with an unknown type handgun.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective D. Cathell at 302-752-3793. 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.”

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.

Released: 042417 1015

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

Bear- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate a motor vehicle crash which has claimed the life of a 67-year-old male pedestrian that occurred last night.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash happened at approximately 8:09 p.m. last night, Sunday, April 23, 2017, as a 67-year-old male pedestrian was attempting to cross the eastbound lanes of US Rt. 40 (Pulaski Highway) at DE Rt. 72 (Wrangle Hill Road), in a northbound direction. As the pedestrian stepped into the roadway, he entered into the path of a 2007 Mercedes S550, which was traveling in the left hand lane of eastbound Rt. 40, and which was being operated by a 39-year-old Newark man. The operator of the Mercedes attempted to avoid striking the pedestrian by braking and swerving to the left, however, the right front of the Mercedes struck the pedestrian. The victim was vaulted onto the hood and windshield of the vehicle before falling off and coming to rest in the left hand lane of the roadway. The operator of the Mercedes, was able to bring his car to a controlled stop in the grass median just east of Rt. 72.

The male victim was treated at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics before being transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The name of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of his next of kin. It is unknown if impairment on the part of the victim was a factor in this crash.

The operator of the Mercedes, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, was not inured. Impairment and speed on the part of the operator is not being considered as a factor in the crash. It has been determined that the traffic control signal for eastbound traffic was green at the time of the crash.

The eastbound lanes of US Rt. 40 were closed for approximately 2 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police.

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. 

Released: 042417 0835

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

Bear- Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash in which a pedestrian was struck that occurred this evening.

The initial investigation has determined that the crash occurred at approximately 8:09 p.m., on eastbound US Rt. 40 (Pulaski Highway) just east of DE Rt. 72 (Wrangle Hill Road) and involves a motor vehicle and a subject who was struck as they attempted to cross the highway. The struck pedestrian was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital with serious injuries. The operator of the motor vehicle was able to bring their car to a controlled stop at the scene.

The eastbound lanes of US Rt. 40 are currently closed at the crash scene and commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel.

The investigation into this crash is in its early stages. More information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Released: 042317 2130

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

Wilmington- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a Wilmington area cellular phone store that occurred yesterday afternoon.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident happened at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, as a male suspect entered the Metro PCS located at 2907 Concord Pike. The suspect approached the sales counted and presented the male clerk with a demand note for cash and phones. The suspect then walked around the counter and proceeded to removed an undisclosed amount of cash and phones from several drawers located behind the counter. He then exited the business and was last seen fleeing in a southbound direction. There were no injuries. A weapon was not implied or displayed.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 30 years of age, approximately 5’08” tall, and was last seen wearing a blue jacket, black hat, and glasses. There is no further physical or clothing description available.

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.”

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.

Released: 042317 1825

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