Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Kent/Sussex Counties – The Delaware State Police have arrested a boyfriend and girlfriend duo in connection with a series of robberies throughout Kent and Sussex Counties.

State Police Detectives began investigating the robberies on Wednesday February 8, 2017 when an armed subject entered the Oasis Travel Plaza located in Laurel and obtained an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing.  Similar incidents occurred with matching descriptions at the Shawnee Country Store in Milford on February 10, 2017, Family Dollar in Rodney Village, Dover and Canterbury Shore Stop in Felton on February 11, 2017, and finally, Concord Liquors, Seaford as well as the Dollar General in Ellendale on February 12, 2017.

Through investigative measures, and with the assistance of various state police special units, Laurel Police Department, and Dover Police Department, two subjects were identified.  On Tuesday February 21, 2017, detectives took Deandre T. Winder, 19 of Ellendale, and Trinity K. West, 21 of Dover, into custody after a search warrant was executed at Trinity West’s residence located in the 300 block of Stone Brook Place.

Both Winder and West were transported back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where Deandre Winder was charged with five counts of Robbery 1st, Attempted Robbery 1st, six counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, five counts of Aggravated Menacing, six counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, and four counts of Conspiracy 2nd.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $659,000.00 cash bond.

Trinity West was incarcerated at Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on multiple capiases.  She was formally charged on Thursday February 23, 2017 with two counts of Robbery 1st, Attempted Robbery 1st, three counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Aggravated Menacing, three counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, and three counts of Conspiracy.  She remains committed on $215,000.00 secured bond.

Click to Review: State Police Investigating Robbery of Oasis Travel Plaza

Click to Review: State Police Investigating Robbery of Shawnee Country Store

Click to Review: Troopers Investigate Armed Robberies

Click to Review: State Police Investigating Robbery of Ellendale Dollar General

Released: 022317 1350

###

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

Newark (19702)- Delaware State Police have arrested a man and a woman and charged them in connection with a pair of Newark area residential burglaries which had occurred earlier this month.

The investigation began on Friday, February 3, 2017 after troopers responded to a residence located in the 2000 block of Pleasant Valley Road, Newark, for the report of a burglary. Upon their arrival, troopers made contact with the homeowner who advised that she discovered that someone had entered her house and removed a flat screen television from inside while the home was unoccupied.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, troopers again responded to the report of a burglary which had occurred at a residence located in the 2100 block of Pleasant Valley Road. Upon their arrival, troopers learned that a male suspect, who was in the company of an unknown female, had forced open the rear door of the home. The male made entry into the home, however, he and the female suspect quickly fled in an unknown direction after discovering that the house was occupied by a 12 year old female resident. There were no injuries and no property was taken.

Through the course of their investigation, which included conducting multiple interviews and the examination of physical evidence, troopers were able to develop Andrew Andrade, 36, of Rising Sun, MD, and Shelly Coldiron, 26, of Oxford, PA, as suspects in the burglaries, and learned that they were both staying at a home located in the 1600 block of Old Baltimore Pike, Newark. On Tuesday, February 21st, troopers responded to the residence and were able to take Coldiron and Andrade into custody without incident.

Shelly Coldiron was arrested and charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and Criminal Mischief. She was also found to be wanted out of Delaware County, PA. Coldiron was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Delores Baylor Correctional Institution in default of $10,000.00 cash bail.

Andrew Andrade was also arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree, Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $3,100.00 secured bail.

Released: 022217 1515

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Ellendale – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of an Ellendale man as he was walking along the road.

The incident occurred around 6:19 p.m. Tuesday February 21, 2017 as Luis D. Rivera, 44 of Ellendale, was operating a 1986 Ford F350 box truck northbound on North Old State Road, just north of Beach Hwy (SR16).  Willie A. Purnell, 46 of Ellendale, who is intellectually disabled, left his nearby residence unsupervised and was walking on North Old State Road in an unknown direction.  Rivera, who left the same residence a short time later to search for Willie Purnell, failed to see him in the roadway and struck him with the front left of his vehicle, projecting him into a grassy ditch on the west side of the roadway.  The box truck came to a controlled stop just north of the impact area.

Willie Purnell, who was wearing dark colored clothing, was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital (MMH) where he was pronounced dead.

Luis Rivera was uninjured in the collision, although he was transported to MMH after he was assaulted by a 29-year-old male from Ellendale, who is a relative of the pedestrian.  Upon being released from the hospital, Rivera was charged with 6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (prior convictions: 07/14/93, 05/03/02, 01/08/03, 01/21/05, and 04/09/08), Driving While Suspended and Revoked, and No Proof of Insurance.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $15,000.00 cash bond.

The 29-year-old male has not been charged with any crime and the investigation into that portion of the incident is on-going.

Released: 022217 1005

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Frankford – Detectives with the Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit have arrested a Millsboro man for burglary and other related crimes after he broke into a used car dealership twice within two weeks.

Jeffrey S. Cannon, 41 of Millsboro, was arrested on Friday February 17, 2017 after detectives were able to link him to two separated burglaries that occurred at The Used Car Factory, located at 34322 DuPont Boulevard.  The first incident occurred on January 23, 2017 when the front door was smashed to gain entry.  Once inside, Cannon is alleged to have removed more than $250.00 cash from a register till along with two diagnostic scan tools valued at $5,000.00 a piece.  A second incident was reported on February 3, 2017 when once again the front door was smash open and upon making entry, two separate desks were ransacked, causing damage to a computer.  Cannon then removed various tools valued at more $9,000.00 from the shop and damaged a car hood that was in for repairs before fleeing the business.

A search warrant was conducted at his residence and detectives were able to recover some of the items that were stolen during both heists.  Cannon was charged with two counts of Burglary 3rd, two counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, three counts of Theft over $1500, three counts of Theft under $1500, and four counts of Criminal Mischief.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $16,400.00 secured bond.

Released: 022117 1405

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Magnolia – The Delaware State Police have arrested two people after a parking violation leads to the discovery of heroin.

The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. Monday February 20, 2017 as a trooper on patrol in the area of the 400 block of Lambert Drive observed a vehicle illegally parked in the roadway.  Troopers made contact with the operator, who was identified as Quamere Johnson, 24 of Magnolia, a front seat passenger, idenfied as Derek Hopkins, 22 of Magnolia, and an adult female seated in the rear of the car.  Upon speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, an odor of marijuana was detected and all three were removed from the car.

A search of Quamere Johnson revealed 64 bags (.096 grams) of heroin, while Derek Hopkins was found to have 292 bags (4.38 grams) of heroin as well as over $1,000.00 in suspected drug proceeds.  Johnson and Hopkins were then taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 3 where they were both charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Johnson was additionally cited for a parking violation and released after being arraigned at JP2 on a $42,301.00 unsecured bond.  Hopkins was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $122,300.00 cash bond.

The female was not charged with any crime and was released at the scene.

Released: 022117 1320

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Frankford – State Police are requesting assistance in locating Anthony D. Puglisi, 19 of Selbyville, who is wanted for two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, four counts of Reckless Endangering, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 2^nd, and Criminal Mischief.  He is also wanted out of Sussex County Family Court for two capiases.

Puglisi is wanted in connection with an alleged incident that occurred on Tuesday January 17, 2017 around 9:00 p.m. when he fired several rounds at a residence located in the 34000 block of Burbage Road, Frankford. None of the victims inside the house at the time were injured.

If anyone has any information in reference to Anthony Puglisi’s whereabouts, they are asked to contact Detective K. Archer at 302-752-3791. 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: 022117 1020

###

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

Bear- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a Bear area dollar store that occurred yesterday evening.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at approximately 7:15 p.m., as a male suspect entered the Dollar General located at 1815 Pulaski Highway. The suspect then approached the sales counter and placed an item on the counter as if he was going to purchase it. When the female store employee opened the cash register, the suspect attempted to reach into the cash drawer and remove money from inside. The clerk, however, began to close the drawer, preventing the suspect from obtaining any cash. The suspect and the clerk then became involved in a brief struggle at which time, the suspect was able to remove an undisclosed amount of money from the register. He 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 45-50 years of age, 5’08”-5’10” tall, weighed 150-175 lbs., and was last seen wearing a green jacket and blue jeans. There is no further physical of 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: 022017 1625

###

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

Wilmington (19804)-  Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of  a Stanton area gas station that occurred yesterday morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at approximately 6:15 a.m., as a male suspect entered the Exxon gas station located at 414 Main Street. The suspect then approached the sales counter acting as though he was going to purchase merchandise. He then announced a robbery to the male sales clerk and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect implied that he was armed, however, he did not display a weapon. The clerk refused to comply with the suspect’s demands. It was at this time that the suspect walked behind the sales counter and struck the clerk in the face. The clerk and the suspect then became involved in a struggle, however, the suspect was able to remove cash from the register before fleeing the business. He was last seen running behind the gas station and fleeing the area in a dark-colored unknown make and model mini-van. The clerk suffered a minor injury and refused medical treatment.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 6’02” tall and was last seen wearing a red shirt, a dark grey sweatshirt, and a black hat.

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: 021917 0835

###

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

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

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at approximately 4:20 a.m., as a male suspect entered the Shell gas station located at 1148 Christiana Road. The suspect implied that he was armed with an unknown make and model handgun and approached the sales counter. He then demanded that the female sales clerk provide him with money from the cash register and cigarettes. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes to him. He then exited the store and was last seen entering the driver’s seat of an unknown make and model SUV type vehicle which then fled in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 40-50 years of age, 5’11”-6’00” tall, weighed 225-250 lbs., and had brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red or orange shirt, blue jeans, a black zip up hooded jacket, black hat, and sneakers.

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: 021917 0755

###

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

Dover- Delaware State Police have arrested a Salisbury, MD man after a vehicle stop yielded over nine pounds of marijuana early Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017, as a Delaware State Trooper was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of SR 1 at the Dover Toll Plaza. It was at this time that the trooper observed a gray Nissan Altima traveling southbound on SR 1 above the posted speed limit. The trooper then conducted a traffic stop of the Nissan just south of the toll plaza. Upon making contact with the operator of the car, later identified as Lashawn D. Royal, 20, the trooper noticed the strong odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of the car. Royal and a 20 year old female passenger in the car were asked to exit the vehicle. A search of the car was then conducted at which time, the trooper located approximately 9.8 pounds of marijuana packaged in vacuum sealed bags in the trunk.

Lashawn Royal and the female passenger were both transported to Troop 3 where Royal was arrested and charged with Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 4 Quantity, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Speeding. He was arraigned at JP Court 7 and released on $6,600.00 unsecured bail. The female passenger was not charged.

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: 021817 1645