Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Wilmington area Dunkin Donuts that occurred late last night.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Monday, August 1, 2016 at approximately 11:18 p.m., as a male suspect entered the Dunkin Donuts located at 4902 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. The suspect, who was armed with an unknown make and model handgun, confronted a male employee of the business and demanded money from the cash register. The employee 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 employee was not injured.

The suspect was described as a white male. He was 5’07”-5’10” tall, weighed 150-180 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, light colored jeans, black sneakers, and had a bandana covering his face. There is no further physical or clothing description available. No video surveillance photos are available 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: 080216 1240

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

Dover, DE- Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has additionally charged Aaron T. Purnell with Attempted Murder 1st and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.  He continues to be held at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on the additional bond of $560,000.00 cash.

Released: 080116 1125

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**Update #1 – Suspect Name Released**

Troopers Investigate Shooting Incident

Dover, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at Alder Park Apartments in which gunfire was exchanged between a responding trooper and a suspect.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m., Sunday July 24, 2016, when troopers were dispatched to area of “G” building, located at 51 Webbs Lane, for a report of a subject with a gun. Upon the trooper’s arrival, a male subject matching the description given by the caller was located in between “G” and “H” buildings standing with another male individual.  When the trooper attempted to make contact with the two, both subjects began to run away.  The trooper gave chase around the rear of “G” building when the two men split up and the trooper continued to follow the subject matching the description with the gun. That individual then turned and fired a round from a handgun at the trooper which resulted in the trooper firing back.  After a lengthy foot pursuit, the suspect, who was later identified as Aaron T. Purnell, 30 of Harrington (original release stated Milford), was apprehended by the trooper and taken into custody without further incident and was uninjured.  A loaded 9mm handgun was located where Purnell was taken into custody.

Aaron Purnell was transported back to Troop 3 where he was charged with three counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Aggravated Menacing, Reckless Endangering 1^st, and Resisting Arrest with Force.  He was arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $96,000.00 cash bond.

The 38-year-old trooper involved in this incident has been employed by the Delaware State Police for 14 years and is assigned to Troop 3 patrol in Camden, DE. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy pending the outcome of the investigation.  The trooper involved in this incident was not injured.

Detectives from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are conducting the investigation. This is an active and ongoing investigation with detectives continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

If anyone may have witnessed this incident they are asked to contact Sergeant D. Weaver at 302-741-2728. 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: 072516 0800

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 **Original Release**

Troopers Investigate Shooting Incident

Dover, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at Alder Park Apartments.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m., Sunday July 24, 2016, when troopers were dispatched to area of “G” building, located at 51 Webbs Lane, for a report of a subject with a gun. Upon the trooper’s arrival, a subject matching the description given by the caller was located in between “G” and “H” buildings.  When the trooper attempted to make contact with the individual, he began to flee around the back side of the building as the trooper gave chase.  The subject then turned and fired an unknown type of handgun at the trooper which resulted in the trooper firing back.  After a lengthy foot pursuit, the suspect, who was later identified as a 30-year-old Milford man, was apprehended by the trooper and taken into custody without further incident.  There were no injuries to the suspect or the trooper.

Detectives are continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further details of this incident will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.  The suspect, whose name is being withheld, has not been formally charged at the time of this release.

If anyone may have witnessed this incident they are asked to contact Sergeant D. Weaver at 302-741-2728. 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: 072416 2355

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**Update – Two Juveniles Arrested**

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

Magnolia, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested two juveniles for robbery after they were caught stealing bicycles in the Reserves at Chestnut Ridge development.

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**Original Release**

Pizza Deliver Driver Robbed – Magnolia

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

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Rehoboth- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Bridgeville man for heroin possession after a traffic stop near Rehoboth.

The incident occurred around 7:34 p.m. Sunday July 31, 2016, as a trooper on patrol in the area of Coastal Highway (SR1) southbound north of Shuttle Road observed a dark blue Mercedes-Benz E32 traveling at an apparent high rate of speed and failing to signal lane changes. The trooper conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of IHOP, located at 36670 Bayside Outlet Drive, where the operator was identified as Tyrie J. Williams, 24 of Bridgeville.  A computer inquiry into Williams’ license revealed it was suspended.  An odor of marijuana was also detected coming from the vehicle as the trooper made contact with Williams, who was traveling with another male subject and Williams’ 6-month-old son.

All of the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle while a search was conducted. A bag was located behind the driver’s side floorboard, just in front of the car seat in which the 6-month-old was sitting.  This bag contained a plastic jar normally used for baby formula with 507 bags of heroin (7.605 grams) as well as a glass jar with 34 grams of marijuana.

Tyrie Williams was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop7 where he was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, and various other traffic related offenses.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $62,500.00 cash bond.

The 6-month-old child was uninjured and turned over to the mother at the scene.  The other male passenger was not charged.

Released: 080116 0930

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

Ocean View– Troopers have arrested a burglary suspect after a traffic stop was conducted by Ocean View Police Department.

Troopers were dispatched to a commercial burglary alarm at the Bethany Bay Homeowner’s Association Clubhouse, located at 37270 Clubhouse Lane, around 1:52 a.m. this morning, Monday August 1, 2016, and found the an exterior sliding glass door shattered.  It appeared that someone had entered the building as a computer was found damaged upon the troopers entry to examine the scene.  While waiting for a building manager, Ocean View Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a silver Volkswagen Passat in the area of Central Avenue and Woodland Avenue for some traffic violations.  The officer observed some fresh cuts on his body and noticed he was in possession of a hammer, pry bar, and some gloves.  Once the building manager arrived at the clubhouse, video surveillance was reviewed and matched the description of the suspect as well as the vehicle leaving the scene of the crime.  It was also determined that the suspect had stolen a lock box containing an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing.

Joshua W. Hunter, 24 of Dagsboro, was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with Burglary 3rd, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft over $1500, and Criminal Mischief.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $3,250.00 secured bond.

Released: 080116 0840

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary E. Fournier

Wilmington – The Delaware State Police is asking the public’s assistance in attempting to identify two subjects who stole a victim’s car parked outside a store.

The incident took place around 6:20 p.m. on Saturday July 30, 2016 when a 25-year-old male had just parked a dark blue 2002 Volkswagen Jetta bearing Delaware registration, 840564, outside the La Oaxaquena Store located at 201 South DuPont Road Wilmington.  The vehicle was left running with the keys in the ignition and doors unlocked when the male entered the store.  Upon returning the car several minutes later, the Jetta was gone.  Video surveillance depicts two unknown male subjects enter the vehicle and drive southbound on South DuPont Road and then westbound on Maryland Avenue.

The first suspect depicted in the surveillance photo appears to be a white male, 16-19 years of age, 5’2” to 5’4”, 120-130 lbs., crew cut brown hair, last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt with white draw strings, light colored blue jeans, and tan boots.

The second suspect appears to be a white male, 17-20 years of age, 5’7” to 5’10”, 170-180 lbs., last seen wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt with unknown black wirting on the front, a gray t-shirt with decal on the front, light blue jeans, and white sneakers.

If anyone has any information on this incident or the suspects, they are asked to contact Master Corporal J. Dudzinski 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.”

Released 073116 1540

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

**Update-Name Released**

Laurel- The Delaware State Police are releasing the name of the driver involved in the fatal crash early this morning as Douglas H. Baker Jr., 42 of Salisbury.  His wife, Tracey D. Baker, 41, remains hospitalized at Crozer-Chester Hospital in Chester, PA.

Released: 073016 1725

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**Original Release**

Laurel- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred north of Laurel early this morning.

The incident occurred around 1:41 a.m., Saturday July 30, 2016, as Michael J. Gonzalez, 32 of Paramount, California, was operating a 2014 Ford F250 southbound on Sussex Highway (US13) in the right lane, just north of Boyce Road at an apparent high rate of speed.  A 42-year-old Salisbury, Maryland man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was operating a 1998 Mercedes SUV southbound in the right lane of US13 just ahead of the pick-up truck when the front of the truck struck the rear of the Mercedes in the right lane. Upon impact, the Mercedes rotated violently in a clockwise direction while spinning down a grass embankment and overturning into thick roadside foliage. The Ford rotated slightly in a clockwise direction and exited the roadway onto the grass embankment before coming to stop. The Mercedes subsequently became engulfed in flames, trapping the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 41-year-old passenger (wife of driver) in the Mercedes was able to exit the vehicle. She suffered substantial burns and multiple blunt force injuries and was flown to Crozer-Chester Hospital in Chester, PA where she is currently admitted.

Michael Gonzalez and a 44-year-old male passenger were both transported by EMS to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.  Gonzalez was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with Vehicular Homicide 1st, Vehicular Assault 1st, Vehicular Assault 2nd, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, No Insurance, Driving Without a Valid License, and Inattentive Driving.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $40,000.00 cash bond. (Photo attached 08/01/16)

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  US13 southbound at Boyce Road was closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 073016 1020

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary E. Fournier

Georgetown- The Delaware State Police Sussex County Drug Task Force (DTF) have arrested a Bridgeville man after he fled from troopers on a traffic stop.

The investigation began around 10:00 Friday July 29, 2016, when troopers assigned to the DTF were actively looking for Keadre L. Smith, 26 of Bridgeville, who was wanted on a Rule 9 warrant out of Sussex County Superior Court for Drug Dealing.  Detectives located Smith near the Lingo Creek Apartments in Millsboro and watched as he entered a 2006 Chevrolet Impala and traveled west toward Georgetown.  Troopers and Probation Officers assigned to the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force (GTF) and State Police Aviation (Trooper 2) were contacted and responded to the area of Zoar Road east of Speedway Road where a traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle.

As the trooper approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and instructed Smith to turn it off, he suddenly accelerate the car forward and drove across a residential lawn before turning northbound on DuPont Boulevard (US113) to avoid apprehension.  Troopers began to pursue the Impala with Trooper 2 maintaining a clear visual of the car as it approached US113 and County Seat Highway (US9).  There it turned eastbound on US9 and continued onto Old Furnace Road where it eventually stopped at a residence in the 24000 block of Concord Pond Road.

Smith then exited the vehicle and ran into the house before coming back out moments later on his own free will and was taken into custody without further incident.  A visual search of the vehicle by troopers after the car had stopped at the house revealed two young children of Smith’s were inside the vehicle as he was traveling recklessly on the roadways.  The 5-year-old and 1-year-old daughters of Smith were turned over to the mother at the house and were uninjured.

Keandre Smith was transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with two counts of Reckless Endangering 1st, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Vehicle), Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and various other traffic related offenses.  He was arraigned on those charges as well as the two Rule 9 charges of Dealing Drugs and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $117,250.00 cash bond.

Released: 073016 1715

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Claymont- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a carjacking incident that took place at a Claymont area gas station.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred Friday July 29, 2016, at approximately 6:45 p.m., when a 34-year-old female picked up a male acquaintance, Aristotelis Marinas, 41 of Wilmington, walking along Philadelphia Pike in the area of Naamans Road.  The two then drove to the Wawa located at 697 Naamans Road where the female began to pump gas.  As she was pumping gas, Marinas entered into the driver’s side of the 2013 Toyota Tacoma and attempted to start the vehicle.  A struggle ensued between the two over the keys as the female attempted to prevent Marinas from starting the truck.  Marinas then drove away from the pump, dragging the female victim to the ground and pulling the gas hose from the pump.  The victim was injured in the incident and required medical attention at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

A witness to the event followed the vehicle until he lost sight of the truck in the area of Darley Road.  Multiple witnesses then observed the truck driving recklessly through Ashbourne Hills Development where Marinas caused damage to some residential landscaping and a tree before fleeing into the State of Pennsylvania.  There he was apprehended by Chester Police Department upon colliding with a building at the intersection of West 4th Street and Tilghman Street within the city limits.

Pending extradition from Pennsylvania, Aristotelis Marinas will be charged with Carjacking 1st, Assault 2nd, Reckless Endangering 2nd, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Reckless Driving, and various other traffic related offenses. (No photo is available of Marinas at this time)

Released: 073016 1150

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Laurel- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred north of Laurel early this morning.

The incident occurred around 1:41 a.m., Saturday July 30, 2016, as Michael J. Gonzalez, 32 of Paramount, California, was operating a 2014 Ford F250 southbound on Sussex Highway (US13) in the right lane, just north of Boyce Road at an apparent high rate of speed.  A 42-year-old Salisbury, Maryland man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was operating a 1998 Mercedes SUV southbound in the right lane of US13 just ahead of the pick-up truck when the front of the truck struck the rear of the Mercedes in the right lane. Upon impact, the Mercedes rotated violently in a clockwise direction while spinning down a grass embankment and overturning into thick roadside foliage. The Ford rotated slightly in a clockwise direction and exited the roadway onto the grass embankment before coming to stop. The Mercedes subsequently became engulfed in flames, trapping the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 41-year-old passenger (wife of driver) in the Mercedes was able to exit the vehicle. She suffered substantial burns and multiple blunt force injuries and was flown to Crozer-Chester Hospital in Chester, PA where she is currently admitted.

Michael Gonzalez and a 44-year-old male passenger were both transported by EMS to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.  Gonzalez was transported back to Troop 5 where he was charged with Vehicular Homicide 1st, Vehicular Assault 1st, Vehicular Assault 2nd, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, No Insurance, Driving Without a Valid License, and Inattentive Driving.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $40,000.00 cash bond. (No photo is currently available on Gonzalez)

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.  US13 southbound at Boyce Road was closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 073016 1020

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