Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Millville– The Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit has arrested two people involved in an early Thursday morning home invasion near Millville.

The incident occurred Thursday October 20, 2016 around 1:00 a.m. as a 64-year old male victim and a 19-year-old female acquaintance were sleeping in his bed and were suddenly awoken by four suspects in the room.  The male victim was then assaulted by the suspects and then tied up before they placed a blanket over his head.  The female initially reported that she was covered with a blanket and dragged into the kitchen where she was left alone.  The suspects then removed numerous laptops and cell phones from the male victim and fled the house.  The male victim was eventually able to get free from his restraints and call 9-1-1.  He was transported to an area hospital by EMS where he was admitted with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Further investigation revealed the female acquaintance, who was identified as Lauren Melton, 19 of Millville, had pre-arranged for the robbery to occurred and had been in contact with one of the suspects, who was identified as Stephen Wheeler, 22 of Dover, via text messages before and after the home invasion.

Lauren Melton was transported back to Troop 4 where she was arrested for Home Invasion, Robbery 2nd, Assault 2nd, and Conspiracy 2nd.  She was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $50,000.00 cash bond.

Later that day, Stephen Wheeler was located by detectives at his residence in the 4000 block of Peachtree Run, Dover, and was taken into custody and charged with Home Invasion, Robbery 2nd, Assault 2nd, and Conspiracy 2nd.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $66,000.00 cash bond.

Other suspects involved in the incident have yet to be identified and the investigation is on-going by detectives.

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.”

Released: 102216 0805

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier 

Dover – State Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Brandon Jones, 25, and Chelsea M. Porter, 25, both of Dover.

Brandon Jones is wanted in connection with a reckless endangering incident that occurred on Tuesday October 18, 2016 in the 700 block of Dinahs Corner Road, Dover, when Jones fired one round from a handgun into the air after he threatened to shoot a 44-year-old victim.

Detectives then conducted a search warrant on Friday October 21, 2016 at Jones’ residence in the 100 block of Stardust Drive, Dover and located 2094 bags (31.41 grams) of heroin, 1,020 grams of marijuana, a .38 caliber revolver, a 6.35 caliber pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, and a .357 caliber revolver that was reported stolen back in July 2016 out of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.  Over $2,700.00 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized.

Brandon Jones (No Photo Available) and his girlfriend, Chelsea Porter (Photo Attached) were not at the residence during the search warrant.  Detectives have obtained warrants on both of them for four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, three counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Marijuana Other Than Personal Use Quantity, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

If anyone has any information in reference to either of their whereabouts, they are asked to contact Detective D. Blomquist at 302-698-8426 or Detective G. Nash at 302-698-8543. 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: 102216 0730

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Laurel – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash involving a tractor trailer and pick up truck that occurred early yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. Friday October 21, 2016 as Andrea C. Reid, 71 of Laurel, was operating a 2010 Ford Ranger pickup truck northbound on Old Stage Road approaching the intersection of Whitesville Road (SR30) which is controlled by a posted stop sign.  Carlton N. Willing, 57 of Laurel, was operating a 2003 Freightliner Tractor Trailer, pulling a partially loaded feed trailer, eastbound on SR30 approaching the intersection of Old Stage Road and had the right of way at this intersection.  For unknown reasons, Reid failed to slow or stop for the stop sign and entered the intersection and struck the right side of the tractor trailer.  After the impact, the pickup truck rotated approximately 180 degrees and was pushed off the right side of the road where it came to a stop in a ditch.  The tractor trailer continued in an easterly direction and pulled to a controlled stop in the eastbound lane east of the intersection.

Andrea Reid, who was not properly restrained, was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead as the scene.

Carlton Willing was properly restrained and was uninjured in the crash.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  Speed and alcohol are not considered factors in this collision. SR30 at Old Stage Road was closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Milton- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the robbery of a Milton area gas station that occurred early last evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:08 p.m., Friday October 21, 2016, as a male suspect, armed with an unknown type handgun, entered the Valero gas station located at 25776 Deep Branch Road. The suspect approached a female clerk who was standing behind the counter and demanded cash.  The clerk complied with the demand and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then exited the store and fled in a westerly direction. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, a mask covering his face, blue jacket, and dark colored pants.  Armed with an unknown type handgun.

Surveillance photo attached.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact the Detective M. Doughty at 302-752-3794. 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: 102216 0715

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary E. Fournier

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.”

Please click on thumbnails to enlarge:

Released: 102116 1700

###

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Laurel – State Police have arrested a Delmar man after he pulled a knife on troopers during a traffic stop near Laurel.

The incident occurred Thursday October 20, 2016 around 10:10 p.m. as troopers from the Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement (P.A.C.E.) team observed a male walking northbound on Sussex Highway (US13) in the area of Gordy Road without an illumination device.  The troopers performed a traffic stop on the pedestrian, who was later identified as Saa’diq A. Holmes, 18 of Delmar, Delaware, and requested to perform a pat-down search.  Holmes then reached behind his back and pulled a large steak knife from his waistband and began pointing it at the troopers.  One of the troopers immediately disarmed Holmes by grabbing it away.  The troopers continued to search him when he pulled away from one of the trooper and began fleeing.  As he was running, the other trooper was able to grab Holmes’ shirt, but he then struck the trooper in the head and broke free from the grasp. As Holmes was fleeing, he threw what later turned out to be 39 bags (.585 grams) of heroin from the front of his waistband onto the ground and was eventually taken into custody after a trooper utilized a divisionally issued Taser.

Saa’diq Holmes was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with Resisting Arrest with Force, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Reckless Endangering 2nd, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer, and Failure to Carry a Light on a Highway.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $6,251.00 cash bond.

Released: 102116 1700

###

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

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announced the Division’s most recent promotions. The promotional ceremony was held in the Delaware State Troopers Association Hall located at 6349 North DuPont Highway, Cheswold, Delaware.

Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues seven Delaware State Troopers were promoted to new ranks.

Promotees:

• From Captain to Major
• Robert A. Hudson II
• From Lieutenant to Captain
• Benjamin Parsons
• From Sergeant to Lieutenant
• Mark Windsor
• From Corporal to Sergeant
• Shawn Doherty
• Edwin Justiniano
• Troy Pezzuto
• Patrick Wenk

Released: 102116 1431

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Laurel – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal crash involving a tractor trailer and pick up truck at the intersection of Old Stage Road and Whitesville Road (SR30) that occurred around 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. One person has died as a result of this crash.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Milton – The Delaware State Police are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred in the Cool Spring area last night.

The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m., Thursday October 20, 2016 as a 33-year-old male, a 34-year-old female, and a 22-year-old male, were all walking westbound on West Springside Drive in the Cool Spring Farms Mobile Home Park.  A dark colored Chrysler 200 was traveling eastbound on West Springside Drive approaching the three pedestrians, when a front seat passenger began to fire a handgun into the air through the front passenger window.  One of the rounds struck the 33-year-old male victim in the lower extremity, and he was eventually transported to Beebe Medical Center by EMS where he was being treated for the non-life-threatening injury.  The other two pedestrians were uninjured. The vehicle fled the development in an unknown direction.

The driver and passenger were both described as black males.  The driver of the vehicle was possibly wearing a gray in color hooded sweatshirt and had a large “chinstrap” style beard (no further physical or clothing description).  There was no further physical or clothing description for the passenger.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective R. Truitt at 302-752-3813. 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.”

Released: 102116 0720

###

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

Wilmington, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a bomb threat that was found written on a wall at a local high school this morning.

The incident occurred around 10:43 a.m. this morning, Thursday, October 20, 2016, when a bomb threat was located written on a wall in a second floor bathroom of St. Mark’s High School, located at 2501 Pike Creek Road, Wilmington. The threat advised that there were several bombs inside of the building. The school was evacuated and students were placed in a pre-determined location while K-9 units from the Delaware State Police, Wilmington Police Department, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control conducted a sweep of the building. Nothing out of the ordinary or suspicious was located and staff and students were allowed back to resume their daily activities.

This incident remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this bomb threat, they are asked to contact the Troop 2 Youth Aid Division at 302-834-2620. 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.”

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DSPNewsroom/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/DEStatePolice. To find out more about how to get your community involved in the Nextdoor application, please click on the following link: https://nextdoor.com/.

Released: 102016 1607

-End-