Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident in which a female suspect poured bleach on a customer during a verbal altercation at a local department store last week and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying her.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 4, 2016, at approximately 5:49 p.m., as a 24 year old female customer was shopping at the Target store located at 1050 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington. It was at this time that the victim was approached and confronted by the pictured female suspect who was upset that the victim was blocking the aisle with her shopping cart. The victim proceeded to move her shopping cart to the side in order to allow the suspect to pass. The suspect, however, struck the victim’s cart with a cart that she was pushing. The suspect and the victim then became involved in a verbal altercation during which time the suspect produced a bottle of bleach and proceeded to pour it on the victim’s head. The bleach also struck a one year old child that was in the victim’s shopping cart. The suspect then fled the store and was last seen entering a small white passenger vehicle, accompanied by a male subject.

The 24 year old female victim and the one year old child were transported by ambulance to the Wilmington Hospital where they were treated for their non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was described as a black female. She was short in height with a large build, braided hair, and was last seen wearing a black and yellow dress. There is no further physical description available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Corporal Michael Fiore at 302-761-6677. 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: 081216 1500

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Rehoboth Beach– On Monday August 8, 2016, troopers were called to the Aeropostale Outlet (Surfside) located at 4565 Coastal Highway, for a reported invasion of privacy complaint. Troopers made contact with 14-year -old female victim who reported that someone had placed a cell phone under the door of the dressing room in which she was changing and took a photo.

The suspect depicted in the surveillance photos is a white male, 20-30 years of age, 5’07”-5’10” tall, brown hair, wearing a blue T-shirt with green writing down the side, black shorts, and black sneakers.

If anyone has any information in reference to the identity of this subject, they are asked to contact Master Corporal D. Oliphant at 302-644-5020. 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: 081116 1300

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Blades– The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit has arrested two people involved in the Tuesday morning robbery of the Royal Farms in Blades.

Shortly after the press release was sent out to the news outlets and social media, detectives began receiving tips regarding the identity of the suspect. Information was also received regarding a female who was driving him and a description of the vehicle.  Around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 9, 2016, troopers assigned to Troop 5 in Bridgeville were given this information and observed a white 2009 Hyundai Sonata which is registered to Ashley N. Stephens, 27 of Georgetown, driving in the Seaford area.  A traffic stop was performed and in the car with Ashley was David A. Morris Jr., 33 of Seaford, and Ashley’s 2-year-old daughter.  Both Ashley and David were identified through the tips along with the vehicle information.

Troopers took David Morris and Ashley Stephens into custody without incident and transported them back to Troop 4 in Georgetown.  Ashley’s daughter was turned over to a relative at the scene of the traffic stop. Once back at the troop, it was determined through the investigation that Ashley had in fact driven David to the Royal Farms with her 2-year-old daughter inside the car when the robbery occurred.  David Morris was charged with Robbery 1st, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 2nd, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $55,000.00 secured bond.  Ashley Stephens was charged with Robbery 1st, Conspiracy 2nd, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  She was also arraigned at JP2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $22,000.00 secured bond.

Released: 081116 1215

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**Original Release**

Troopers Investigate Robbery of Blades Royal Farms

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Blades– The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit has been requested by the Blades Police Department to investigate the robbery of the Royal Farms that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred this morning, August 9, 2016 at approximately 2:23 a.m., as a male suspect entered the Royal Farms located at 8800 Concord Road. The suspect confronted a male employee of the business and demanded money. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect then exited the business and fled in an unknown direction. The employee was not injured.

The suspect was described as a white male, 5’08”-5’09” tall, weighed 150-170 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black and red baseball hat, grey t-shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers, and had a black scarf covering his face. There is no further physical or clothing description available.

Surveillance photos attached.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective J. Jones at 302-752-3795. 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: 080916 0920

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Smyrna – The State Police Kent County Drug Unit (KDU) has arrested two individuals for possession of methamphetamine during an investigation north of Smyrna.

The incident occurred around 10:10 p.m., Wednesday August 10, 2016 as detectives assigned to the drug unit received information that Jenah Hargett, 29 of Clayton, would be delivering a large amount of meth to the Wawa parking lot, located at 5632 South DuPont Highway.  Detectives observed Hargett with another male, who was later identified as Troy Durant, 36 of Clayton, in a Nissan Altima in the parking lot.  It was also known to detectives that Hargett had numerous capiases out of Kent County Courts.  Members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT) made contact with the two individuals in the vehicle and took them into custody without incident.  A search of the suspects and the vehicle revealed a total of 19.6 grams of crystal meth.

Troy Durant and Jenah Hargett were transported back to Troop 3 where they were both charged with Possession of a Tier 3 Controlled Substance (Meth), Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth, Conspiracy 2nd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  They were remanded to the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections in default of secured bonds.

There is no photo available for Troy Durant.

Released: 081116 1110

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Dover – The Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit (KDU) is currently looking for a subject that fled through the Dover Mall after he was observed preparing to conduct a drug transaction.

Traymere E. Stevens, 20 of Magnolia, is wanted for Tier 5 Drug Dealing, Resisting Arrest, and other drug related offenses after he fled on foot into the Dover Mall (1365 North DuPont Highway) upon observing troopers closing in on him during a drug transaction that was to take place in the parking lot of the mall.  The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. this evening, Wednesday August 10, 2016, in the parking lot near Macy’s when troopers were preparing to arrest Stevens for delivering a large amount of heroin when he ran into the Macy’s and continued through the mall toward JC Penny where fled out of sight.  Troopers assigned to KDU, Kent County Governor’s Task Force (GTF), and the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), pursued Stevens into the mall and continued to search the businesses with additional assistance from Dover Police Department and various police K9 units.  A large amount of heroin was seized during this investigation and by 10:00 p.m., the search was completed without locating Stevens.  No patrons in the mall were injured.

Traymere Stevens (2015 photo) is described as a black male, 5’07” tall, 140 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and shorts.

If anyone has any information in reference to the whereabouts of Traymere Stevens, they are asked to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-4454. 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: 081016 2250

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Smyrna– The 51-year-old female passenger has died as a result of the injuries she sustained in a August 7, 2016 crash near Smyrna.

Kimberly Smith of Dover, was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where she died Monday August 8, 2016 shortly before 3:30 p.m.

The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.

Released: 081016 1850

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*Update #1** Troopers Investigating Serious Motorcycle Crash – North Smyrna

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Smyrna– The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a serious motorcycle crash on SR1 southbound in the area of Exit 119.

The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. Sunday August 7, 2016 as James E. Smith, 53 of Dover was operating a 2007 Honda VTX1300R motorcycle southbound on SR1 in the right lane. Due to an alleged mechanical malfunction, Smith lost control of the motorcycle which ejected both him and his sister onto the ground.

James Smith was transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was treated for undetermined non-life-threatening injuries.

His sister, Kimberly Smith, 51 of Dover, was airlifted from the scene by State Police Aviation to Bayhealth Kent General where through advanced lifesaving efforts by paramedics, she was admitted in critical condition.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. SR1 at Exit 119 was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared. Speed and alcohol use do not appear to be factors in this case.

Released: 080816 1700

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**Original Release**

Troopers Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash –North Smyrna

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Smyrna– The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash on SR1 southbound in the area of Exit 119 that occurred around 8:00 p.m. this evening.

Preliminary investigation indicates the incident involves a motorcycle and one person has died as a result of the crash. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently on scene and will assume the investigation.

SR1 southbound at Exit 119 is currently closed. Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

Further details will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Released: 080716 2055

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale 

Middletown, DE- A multi-jurisdictional investigation into the pawning of stolen over the counter healthcare products by the Delaware State Police, United States Postal Service, Department of Justice, and the Middletown Police Department, has concluded with the arrest or indictment of 23 individuals.

The 18 month investigation, dubbed “Operation Golden Eye”, which began in January of 2015, targeted the illegal pawn practices of the Gold Fever Pawn Shop, located at 16 N. Broad Street, Middletown, DE, which included the purchasing of stolen merchandise.

The operators of the business, identified as Shaun S. Reilly, 35, of New Castle, Kisha A. Reilly, 35, of New Castle, and Denise C. Toy, 62, of New Castle, were routinely under reporting the pawning of the merchandise to the pawn regulatory agency. Shaun and Kisha Reilly, who are both convicted felons, also regularly possessed firearms while they conducted their business, which they are prohibited to do by law.

On Monday, August 1, 2016, the New Castle County Grand Jury indicted a total of 23 individuals on multiple charges including Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, and Organized Retail Theft*. On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, search warrants were executed at the Gold Fever Pawn Shop as well as at the residence of Shaun and Kisha Reilly located in the 900 block of Cox Neck Road, New Castle. As a result of the searches the following items were seized:

• $100,000.00 in over the counter healthcare products
• United States Currency
• packaging materials
• utility trailer
• Ruger .22 caliber LR rifle
• Ruger 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun
• Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle
• Sears & Roebuck .22 caliber bolt action rifle
• Ruger LCP .380 handgun
• Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield handgun
• Taurus .380 ACP handgun
• Savage Arms semi-automatic 12 gauge shotgun
• Camo Savage bolt action .223 rifle

As a result of the cooperative effort of investigators from various law enforcement agencies, loss prevention personnel from Walgreens and CVS, and prosecutors from the Department of Justice, Shaun and Kisha Reilly were both arrested and charged with Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Organized Retail Theft, Criminal Solicitation, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. Shaun Reilly is currently incarcerated in the Howard Young Correctional Institution for lack of $150,000.00 cash bail. Kisha Reilly was committed to the Delores Baylor Correctional Institution also for lack of $150,000.00 cash bail.

Denise Toy was arrested and charged with Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Organized Retail Theft, Criminal Solicitation, and two counts of Giving a Firearm to a Person Prohibited. She is currently incarcerated at the Delores Baylor Correctional Institution for lack of $150,000.00 cash bail.

The following list of subjects have also been arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering and Organized Retail Theft as a result of this investigation (mugshots available upon request):

1. Kevin Dittman, 33, Smyrna, DE (also charged with Racketeering)
2. Cassie Lynch, 31, Dover, DE
3. Jennifer Capossere, 38, Middletown, DE
4. James Walker, 43, Middletown, DE
5. Juls Hobbs, 23, Wilmington, DE
6. Kaitlyn Mace, 22, Clayton, DE
7. Christopher Naylor, 32, Smyrna, DE
8. Michael Payne, 35, Middletown, DE
9. Jeffery Gennusa, 23, Townsend, DE
10. Rebecca Youngheim, 22, Chestertown, MD
11. Amy Sutton, 32, Worton, MD

Arrest warrants have been obtained charging the following individuals with Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering and Organized Retail Theft in connection with this investigation (mugshots available upon request):

1. Samantha Ralosky, 31, Townsend, DE (currently incarcerated)
2. Todd Miller, 22, Middletown, DE (currently incarcerated)
3. Danielle Francisco, 25, Middletown, DE (currently incarcerated)
4. Kyle Johnson, 21, Middletown, DE (currently incarcerated)
5. Stephen McClain, 30, Smyrna, DE (currently incarcerated)
6. Brittany Martin, 22, North East, Maryland (no photo available)
7. Cody Keithley, 25, North East, MD (no photo available)
8. Paige Hobbs, 18, Middletown, DE (photo attached)
9. Cody Kidwell, 25, Smyrna, DE (photo attached)

If anyone has any information in reference to the location of Brittany Martin, Cody Keithley, Paige Hobbs, or Cody Kidwell, they are asked to contact Detective William Harris at 302-365-8428 or Detective Christian Hevelow at 302-365-8471. 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: 080916 1630

Contacts:          DSP – Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale – 302-304-0245

DOJ – Carl Kanefsky – 302 577-8949

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Blades– The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit has been requested by the Blades Police Department to investigate the robbery of the Royal Farms that occurred early this morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred this morning, August 9, 2016 at approximately 2:23 a.m., as a male suspect entered the Royal Farms located at 8800 Concord Road. The suspect confronted a male employee of the business and demanded money. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect then exited the business and fled in an unknown direction. The employee was not injured.

The suspect was described as a white male, 5’08”-5’09” tall, weighed 150-170 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black and red baseball hat, grey t-shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers, and had a black scarf covering his face. There is no further physical or clothing description available.

Surveillance photos attached.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective J. Jones at 302-752-3795. 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: 080916 0920

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale 

New Castle, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the armed robbery of a New Castle area pharmacy that occurred late yesterday morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident happened on Monday, August 8, 2016, at approximately 11:55 a.m., as a male suspect entered the Walgreens, located at 1500 Beaverbrook Plaza, New Castle. The suspect, who was armed with an unknown make and model handgun, approached the sales counter, confronted a female employee, and demanded money from the cash registers. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. The suspect then exited the store and fled on foot in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male. He is 5’06” tall, weighs 150-160 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans, black sneakers, and had a mask partially covering his face. There is no further physical or clothing description available at this time. There are no video surveillance photos 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.”

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: 080916 0725

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

 Newark, DE– Delaware State Police are currently investigating the theft of a credit card and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect.

On Monday, August 8, 2016, an unknown male suspect was able to obtain the credit card of a customer at the Wawa located at 1750 Kirkwood Hwy Newark, DE. The suspect then proceeded to use the credit card at several area businesses. He may be operating a burgundy Chevrolet HHR.

If anyone knows the identity of the pictured suspect, they are asked to contact Corporal John Dudzinski at Troop 6, at 302-633-5000. 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: 080916 0655

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