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

Georgetown, De. – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred earlier today west of Georgetown.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred around 11:06 a.m. Thursday, April 20, 2017, as Howard A. Scheweitzer, 62 of Laurel, was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on East Trap Pond Road (CR 62) approaching the intersection at Piney Grove Road. A 2004 Ford Explorer operated by Yajira Quintana-Tinoco, 31, of Seaford, was traveling eastbound on Piney Grove Rd (CR 329), and stopped at a posted stop sign at the intersection of East Trap Pond Road. Yajira Quintana-Tinoco failed to remain stopped at the stop sign and entered the intersection directly into the path of the motorcycle.  Scheweitzer was unable to avoid the collision, and the front of the motorcycle struck the right front of the Ford Explorer within the intersection. 

Scheweitzer, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was ejected from the motorcycle upon impact and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Yajira Quintana-Tinoco, as well as two juvenile passengers in her vehicle, were uninjured.

This crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Impairment on the part of both parties is not being considered as a factor in this crash.

 The intersection of East Trap Pond Road and Piney Grove Road was closed for approximately 2.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

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: 042017 1851

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**Update #1 – Roadway Open**Troopers Investigating Motor Vehicle Crash – Georgetown

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

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

Wilmington- Delaware State Police have arrested a Wilmington man and charged him in connection with a series of robberies which he is believed to have committed in Wilmington and New Castle over the past week.

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, Robbery Unit detectives arrested Eric L. Hubbard, 57, of Wilmington, at his residence without incident. He was transported to Troop 2 where detectives charged him with four counts of Robbery 1st Degree and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $246,000.00 cash bail.

The investigation began on Thursday, April 13, 2017, after troopers responded to three separate armed robberies of businesses located along Philadelphia Pike and Governor Printz Boulevard, Wilmington. 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. Wawa, 2621 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington.
2. BP/Shore Stop, 708 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington.
3. 7-11, 4865 Governor Printz Boulevard, Wilmington.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2017, troopers responded to the robbery of the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle. After viewing video surveillance footage, it was determined that the same suspect who had committed the three robberies on April 13th was also the person responsible for robbery of the Rite Aid. Robbery Unit detectives were subsequently able to positively identify Eric Hubbard as the suspect.

Released: 042017 1340

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

Georgetown, De.- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a crash involving a motorcycle.

The initial investigation has determined the crash occurred at approximately 11:07 a.m. today, Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the intersection of West Piney Grove Road and East Trap Pond Road west of Georgetown.

The intersection is currently closed at this time. Motorists should use caution in the area as there will be traffic delays. Travelers are asked to safely find alternate routes of travel.

More details will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Released: 042017 1151

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

Claymont- Delaware State Police have arrested a Wilmington man and charged him in connection with a series of burglaries that had been occurring along Philadelphia Pike in Claymont.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at approximately 10:50 p.m., troopers responded to the BP gas station located at 3421 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, after a witness had observed a male suspect break a window of the business. The witness watched as the suspect entered the gas station and then exited a short time later carrying merchandise which he had obtained while inside. 9-1-1 was then contacted by the witness who followed the suspect on foot and provided call takers with a description and location. A short time later, the New Castle County Police received the call of a suspicious person in the area of the 100 block of Honeywell Drive. Responding officers arrived and located the subject, later identified as Jeffrey P. Chiffens, 30, and took him into custody after a brief struggle. Chiffens was then identified as the male suspect who had committed the burglary of the BP station.

After further investigation troopers were able to link Jeffrey Chiffens to the following burglaries which had been occurring along the Philadelphia Pike corridor:

1. BP, 3421 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Sunday, April 2, 2017.
2. BP, 3421 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Monday, April 3, 2017.
3. Family Dollar, 3605 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
4. BP, 3421 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Jeffrey Chiffens was arrested and charged with Burglary 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Mischief. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $9000 secured bail. More charges are expected to be filed.

Released: 042017 0945

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

Millsboro, De. – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery of a Millsboro area store that occurred last evening.

The preliminary investigation has determined the incident occurred at approximately 9:51 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017, as a male suspect armed with an unknown type handgun entered the Millsboro Dollar General store, located at 26012 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro. The suspect approached the store employee and demanded cash. The suspect grabbed an undisclosed amount of money then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction.  The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as white male approximately 5’09” to 6’00” tall, approximately 150-160 lbs. wearing dark colored hooded sweatshirt with his face covered armed with an unknown make and model handgun.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact 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.”

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Released: 041917 1731

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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 pharmacy that occurred yesterday morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, as a male suspect entered the Rite Aid located at 2034 New Castle Avenue. The suspect approached the sales counter and asked the female clerk for several cartons of cigarettes. After the clerk retrieved the cigarettes, the suspect implied that he was armed with an unknown make and model gun, and ordered her to turn them over to him. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cigarettes to him. The suspect then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 40-45 years of age, 5’09”-5’10” tall, weighed 160-170 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black hat, black pants, and black shoes. 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, Glasgow, at 302-365-8566. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.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: 041917 1000

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

Townsend- Delaware State Police Troop 9 will be holding a Community Café on Monday, May 1, 2017. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at the Little Italy Pizzeria located at 325 Main Street, Townsend. The Community Café will have Troop 9 Administration, the New Castle County Community Outreach Officer, Mayor Rudy Sutton, Representative Jeff Spiegelman, and Representative Kevin Hensley 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: 041917 0930

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

On Saturday, April 8th through Sunday, April 9th, 2017, The Delaware State Police working with 14 other states completed the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” and the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware”. The law enforcement agencies in each state focused on traffic enforcement along 1,920 miles of I-95 and other targeted roadways to keep motorists safe and reduce fatalities. The enforcement initiatives focused on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, seatbelt use, pedestrian safety, as well as motorcycle and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement. There were 5,368 total citations for  the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives Traffic Initiative.

In Delaware along the I-95 corridor (26 miles), a total of 170 traffic arrests were issued with 56 for speeding, 11 for aggressive driving, eight for cell phone violations, one DUI arrest, eight seatbelt arrests, one child restraint arrest, 11 driver’s license arrests, five registration violations, 25 dangerous moving violations, with 44 other moving violations and one drug arrest.

In the Delaware Drive to Save Lives, the Delaware State Police along with Camden Police Department, Delaware Capitol Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Elsmere Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Laurel Police Department, Milford Police Department, New Castle City Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Selbyville Police Department and Smyrna Police Department, participated in the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” by conducting traffic enforcement across approximately 96 miles of the State of Delaware.

Delaware Troopers with support of their allied partners conducted traffic enforcement statewide by ground and air, targeting roadways throughout the state. In the first state our allied partners issued a total of 853 traffic citations and the Delaware State Police issued over 237 traffic citations.

The Delaware State Police would like to thank everyone who participated in the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives Traffic Initiative and the “Drive to Save Lives Delaware.” A special thank you to all of the drivers who make Delaware roads safer.

Released: 041817 1611

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 “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” and “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” Traffic Initiatives April 8-9, 2017

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

The Delaware State Police in partnership with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety have coordinated a multi-state traffic campaign to reduce serious and fatal crashes during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Delaware State Police are joining forces with 14 other states and local allied partners to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through traffic enforcement. These initiatives will be a contributing effort to support the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) initiative, “The Drive to Save Lives Campaign.” The IACP leaders’ goal is to change the high-risk behaviors of motorists in order to decrease the number of collisions through a greater awareness, education, strong partnerships, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

According to NHTSA, 2015 marked the largest increase in traffic fatalities since 1966. Also, the first half of 2016 revealed a similar pattern of increase.  The approximate 1,920 miles of I-95 has been ranked among the top 10 in fatalities for the past several years and furthermore, I-95 is the fifth most dangerous interstate in the U.S.

Distracted Driving fatalities increased 8.8% in 2015 and distracted driving is believed to be responsible for 10% of all fatal crashes. With the first six months of 2016 showing an increase in fatal crashes compared to the first six months of 2015, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month proved to be an appropriate time for this initiative.

On Saturday, April 8th through Sunday, April 9th, 2017, law enforcement agencies in each state will conduct traffic enforcement along 1,920 miles of I-95 and other targeted roadways to keep motorists safe and reduce fatalities. The enforcement initiatives will focus on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, seatbelt use, pedestrian safety, as well as motorcycle and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement.

All 15 states that line Interstate 95 from Maine to Florida (Maine State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island State Police, Connecticut State Police, New York State Police, New Jersey State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, and the Florida Highway Patrol), will be participating in the “I-95 Drive to Save Lives” safe driving campaign, led and coordinated by the Delaware State Police.

The following municipalities– Camden Police Department, Delaware Capitol Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Elsmere Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, Laurel Police Department, Milford Police Department, New Castle City Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Selbyville Police Department and Smyrna Police Department, will be participating in the “Drive to Save Lives in Delaware” by conducting traffic enforcement across the approximately 96 miles of the State of Delaware.

Delaware Troopers with support of their allied partners will be out in full force on Saturday April 8 through Sunday April 9, 2017 conducting traffic enforcement statewide by ground and air, targeting the following roadways, and others throughout the state:

New Castle County

I-95, I-495, SR-1

Kent County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

Sussex County

US 13, US 113, SR 1

“Proactive traffic enforcement during the National Distracted Driving Awareness month is a great example of the continued commitment to maintain safer roads. The Delaware State Police working in conjunction with our state and local allied partners strives to reach our collective goals of increasing awareness of traffic safety and reducing crashes.”

Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

“The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is proud to support the I-95 Drive to Save Lives traffic initiative as part of a multi-state program working to decrease fatal crashes and serious injuries on I-95 and to bring attention to April as National Distracted Driving Awareness month. We want drivers to arrive alive – so put your phone down, reduce your speeds, wear your seatbelt and don’t drive impaired.”

Jana Simpler, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Released: 040617 1241

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

Newark (19713)- Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Newark area gas station that occurred yesterday afternoon.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Monday, April 17, 2017 at approximately 5:06 p.m., as a male suspect entered the Exxon, located at 4600 Ogletown Road. The suspect approached the sales counter where he then brandished an unknown make and model handgun and confronted a male sales clerk. He then demanded money from the cash register. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. The suspect then exited the business and fled in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 5’06”-5’08” tall, weighed 130-140 lbs., had a dark complexion, and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, light-colored jeans, and sneakers. 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.”

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: 041817 1445

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