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

Greenville, DE- Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and Wilmington Police Department have arrested five teens involved in the burglary and theft of 27 handguns from a Greenville area sporting good store.

The investigation began Friday, July 22, 2016, at approximately 1:40 a.m., after four unknown male suspects were observed smashing the glass to the front door of the Artemus Outfitters, located at 4021 Kennett Pike, Greenville. The suspects then entered the business and proceeded to remove 27 assorted handguns from display before exiting the store and fleeing in an unknown direction. Although no photos were released, the incident was captured on surveillance cameras which was helpful in the detectives conducting their investigation into the successful apprehension of the teens.

On Saturday July 23, 2016, Wilmington PD responded to a shooting in the 3500 block of North Church Street within their jurisdiction.  Through their investigation into this incident, four stolen firearms were recovered and connected to the sporting good store burglary.  The victim of the shooting, William Morgan, 17 of Newark (No Photo Available), would later be implicated in the burglary through the joint investigation.

Through further investigative measures, detectives were able to link Morgan and four others, Tomier M. Cooper, 16 of Wilmington, Jamir Stewart, 16 of Newark, Tyliek Church, 16 of Newark, and Jordan Banks, 17 of Wilmington, to the burglary.  Beginning Monday July 25, 2016, search warrants were conducted at each of the boy’s residences and three more handguns were recovered upon searching Banks’ home.

The five teens were all charged with 27 counts of Theft of a Firearm, Burglary 3rd, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 2nd, and Criminal Mischief.  Jordan Banks was charged additionally with two counts of Obliterating a Serial Number on a Firearm.  All of the teens are currently incarcerated in the New Castle County Detention Center on cash bonds.

On Thursday July 28, 2016 around 12:43 a.m., troopers patrolling US40 near SR72 in Bear conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota sedan after the vehicle made an abrupt lane change in front of the patrol vehicle.  Upon contacting the driver, who was identified as Gregory M. Wise, 18 of Bear, a strong odor of marijuana was detected.  A search was conducted on the car after a State Police K9 alerted to the presence of drugs and a total of 255.91 grams of marijuana was located.  Also located in the search was a Ruger handgun which was found to be one of the guns stolen in the Artemus Outfitters burglary.

Gregory Wise was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Receiving a Stolen Firearm.  He was arraigned at JP2 and released on $53,000.00 unsecured bond.

Released: 073016 0940

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**Original Release**

Troopers Investigate Sporting Goods Store Burglary 

Greenville, DE- Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), are currently investigating the burglary of a Greenville area sporting good store that occurred early yesterday morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred yesterday, Friday, July 22, 2016, at approximately 1:40 a.m., as four unknown male suspects smashed the glass to the front door of the Artemus Outfitters, located at 4021 Kennett Pike, Greenville. The suspects then entered the business and proceeded to remove 27 assorted handguns from display before exiting the store and fleeing in an unknown direction. There is no physical or clothing description of the suspects available to be released at this time. No video surveillance photos are available.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective Bridget Harris at 302-365-8410 or bridget.harris@delaware.gov. 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.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is also offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects involved in this incident. Please see the attached ATF news release for further information.

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: 072316 1410

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

Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offender after they either failed to register or re-register their current address.  If anyone knows the location of any of the subjects, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. 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: 073016 0750

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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 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: 073016 0700

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

North Dover- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a robbery of a North Dover area convenience store that occurred early Friday morning.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred Friday July 29, 2016, at approximately 9:36 a.m., as a male subject entered the Shore Stop located at 3668 North DuPont Highway. The suspect confronted a 36-year-old male employee armed with a knife and demanded money from the cash register. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect then fled from the store in a northerly direction. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as white male, 5’05”-5’10” tall wearing a dark colored shirt, blue jeans, gloves, and glasses (No further physical or clothing description available). Armed with an unknown type knife

No video surveillance footage is available at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Troop 3 Major Crimes Unit at 302-698-8434. Information can 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: 073016 0655

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Georgetown, DE – Troopers have arrested two men in connection with a series of burglaries to churches in the Georgetown and Lincoln areas.

The investigation began around April 17, 2016 when Milford Police Department investigated a burglary the First Baptist Church within their jurisdiction. Through investigative measures, they were able to arrest Christopher Willey, 24 of Georgetown on July 5, 2016.

Information was shared about the burglary with Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit due to a rash of break-ins occurring within the Lincoln and Georgetown areas involving churches and businesses. These incidents had been occurring between mid-April to mid-May when Willey and his accomplice, who was later identified as Christopher J. Carter, 24 of Harrington, would forcibly enter the buildings by either breaking a window, removing air conditioning units from windows, or in one case, cutting a hole through a roof.  Once inside the two would remove cash, power tools, or other construction equipment before fleeing.  In a few of the cases, nothing was removed, but the two would destroy items throughout different rooms causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.

The follow is a list of the locations that were burglarized:

• April 22, 2016 – Donovan’s Salvage, 20262 Donovan’s Road, Georgetown
• April 27, 2016 – Redden Community Center, 18192 Redden Road, Georgetown
• April 29, 2016 – Old Path Church of Christ, 18295 Redden Road, Georgetown
• May 13, 2016 – Daisey’s Used Car garage, McColley’s Chapel Road, Georgetown
• May 15, 2016 – Lincoln United Methodist Church, 8641 2^nd Street, Lincoln
• May 16, 2016 – Lincoln United Methodist Church, 8641 2^nd Street, Lincoln
• May 16, 2016 – Old Path Church of Christ, 18295 Redden Road, Georgetown
• May 16, 2016 – Flames of Fire Holy Ghost Church, 18246 McColley’s Chapel Road, Georgetown

Christopher Willey, who was already incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) for a violation of probation, and Christopher Carter, who was picked up on July 11, 2016 for a violation of probation were charged by detectives with seven counts of Burglary 3^rd, Attempted Burglary 3^rd, eight counts of Conspiracy 2^nd, five counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, seven counts of Theft, Selling Stolen Property, and six counts of Criminal Mischief.  They were both incarcerated at SCI in lieu of $35,000.00 secured bond.

**For more information on the Milford investigation, please contact Milford PD.**

Released: 072916 1600

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

Bear, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the attempted armed robbery of a Bear area liquor store that occurred yesterday evening.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Thursday, July 28, 2016, at approximately 9:10 p.m., as a male suspect entered the D and H Liquor Store, located at 106 Jestan Boulevard, Bear. The suspect, who was armed with an unknown model knife, entered the store for a brief moment and quickly exited the store. He then fled south on Jestan Boulevard in the direction of Red Lion Road towards the Rutledge development. There were two employees in the store at the time of the attempted robbery. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was 5’10”-6’00” tall, weighed 140-180 lbs., and was last seen wearing dark pants, a dark hooded sweatshirt, black shoes, with his face covered. There is no further physical or clothing description available. 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 302-365-8655. 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.”

Released: 072916 1351

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Dover, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Dover area liquor store that occurred late Saturday night.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at approximately 10:53 p.m., as two male suspects entered the Village Package Store, located at 1614 S. Governors Avenue, Dover. One of the suspects displayed an unknown make and model handgun and confronted a male clerk. He then demanded cash. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to him. Both suspects then removed several bottles of alcohol from display before exiting the store and fleeing in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

The first suspect was described as a black male. He was 5’07” tall, weighed approximately 150 lbs., and was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. He was also armed with an unknown type of gun.

The second suspect was also a black male. He was 5’09” tall, weighed 170 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark colored jeans.

This incident remains under investigation. There is no further physical or clothing description of the suspects available at this time.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective Ryan White at 302-698-8429. 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: 072916 1030

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Dagsboro, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Millsboro man after he was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol for the 6^th time.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:07 p.m. Wednesday July 27, 2016 as a trooper parked stationary on East Diamond Street facing Power Plant Road, observed a 2012 GMC Sierra traveling northbound on Power Plant Road without a headlight. The trooper conducted a traffic stop on the pick-up truck on Iron Branch Road north of Bunting Road.  Contact was then made with the operator, Gary L. Levis, 52 of Millsboro, and an odor of marijuana and alcohol was detected.  A DUI investigation ensued and Levis was taken into custody and transported back to Troop 4.  Prior to leaving the scene, an inventory search of the vehicle was conducted and troopers located 16 Oxycodone pills and 16.74 grams of marijuana.  A computer check revealed he had five previous DUI convictions (05/15/94, 11/18/94, 03/27/95, 03/31/95, and 04/05/04); this arrest would make #6.

Gary Levis was charged with 6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving without Two Headlights. He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $12,650.00 secured bond.

Released: 072816 2230

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Kent/Sussex County, DE- Delaware State Police have arrested four and are seeking the location of a fifth for their involvement in burglaries committed in Kent and Sussex County as well as an attempted robbery near Milford.

Detectives began investigating a series of burglaries around the beginning of July when the suspects would enter area businesses and remove chainsaws and money. The following outlines the locations of the burglaries and items stolen:

• July 5, 2016 at approximately 12:12 a.m. – Burke Equipment, 11196 East Snake Road, Delmar, Delaware – 6 chainsaws and one concrete saw. The total value of the merchandise was over $2,400.00. Damage to perimeter fencing valued at approximately $1,500.00.

• July 5, 2016 at approximately 4:30 a.m. – Tractor Supply, 4089 South DuPont Highway, Dover – Nothing was stolen although damage was estimated at approximately $200.00 to a fence.

• July 8, 2016 at approximately 2:29 a.m. – Binkley and Hurst, 22367 Sussex Highway, Seaford – A window was damaged ($500.00) and a safe that contained a small amount of U.S. currency was removed from the business.

• July 8, 2016 at approximately 4:14 a.m. – Sunburst Rentals, 36412 Sussex Highway, Delmar, Delaware – Suspects utilized a forklift to pry open a roll-up door causing approximately $1,500.00 damage and then removed a chainsaw valued over $240.00.

• July 11, 2016 at approximately 1:49 a.m. – Barton’s Landscaping, 20689 Sussex Highway, Seaford – Nothing was stolen although damage was estimated at approximately $1,000.00 to a fence and video surveillance camera.

• July 11, 2016 at approximately 3:10 a.m. – Burke Equipment, 54 Andrews Lake Road, Felton – 11 chainsaws were removed with a total value of over $4,600.00 along with approximately $1,000.00 damage to a fence and glass door.

In each of the burglaries, the suspects would cut a portion of perimeter fencing before forcibly entering the businesses. The brand of chainsaw that was stolen in each case was primarily Stihl.

On July 14, 2016, State Police Detectives in Kent and Sussex County were contacted by the Caln Township Police Department (Pennsylvania) making them aware of subjects selling a large number of Stihl chainsaws to a pawn shop in Thorndale, Pennsylvania. Detectives were able to identify two of the subjects as Mightys E. Gibbs, 24 of Harrington, and Tavon G. Johnson, 22 of Felton, after their information was given to the pawn shop in order to make the transaction.  All of the chainsaws pawned matched the serial numbers of the ones stolen from the various businesses in Delaware and detectives continued to track the equipment as it had already been sold to various unsuspecting buyers throughout the U.S.

Meanwhile, Troopers and Probation Officers assigned to the Kent County Governor’s Task Force were actively patrolling north of Milford, Monday July 18, 2016 around 10:17 p.m., when a black Honda Accord was observed parked in the roadway on Big Stone Beach Road south of New Warf Road with only its parking light on. When the task force unit attempted to pull behind the vehicle to check on the occupants, the car turned the headlights on and began to pull away.  The trooper then activated the emergency equipment in the patrol car to perform a traffic stop.  The Accord continued approximately quarter mile away from where it was originally observed before finally coming to a stop.  Prior to the Honda coming to a full stop, two male rear seat passengers fled from the vehicle into a wooded area nearby.

A front seat passenger, Tavon Johnson, was immediately contacted and placed in custody without incident. A computer check revealed Johnson had an active capias out of Kent County Court of Common Pleas for Violation of Probation.  The operator, who was identified as Jaydenn D. Clough, 20 of Smyrna, was also placed in custody without incident.  A search of the vehicle revealed masks and gloves along with a 12 gauge shotgun which would be consistent with someone preparing to conduct a robbery.  Through the investigation, it was determined that the subjects had parked along the roadside and were preparing to commit a robbery of the Shore Stop located at 432 Bay Road, Milford, which was just in eyesight of where they had been parked.

In the early morning of Tuesday July 19, 2016 criminal and GTF detectives were able to link all of the incidents together and obtain warrants for the arrests of Tavon Johnson, Jaydenn Clough, Mightys Gibbs, as well as gather information on the other two suspects that fled from the traffic stop in Milford. Those two were identified as Quadir Bryant, 24 of Felton and Robert Mannings III, 24 of Viola.

Jaydenn Clough and Tavon Johnson were transported back to Troop 3 after the stop and charged with Attempted Robbery 1^st, Attempted Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy 2^nd, and Drug Paraphernalia. Johnson was additionally charged in this case with Attempted Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Attempted Wearing of a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony.  Clough was released on $22,000.00 unsecured bond after being arraigned at JP2.

Tavon Johnson was committed to James T. Vaughn after failing to post $50,100.00 cash bond on the Robbery charges as well as the Violation of Probation. He was charged separately with three counts of Burglary 3^rd, three counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, three counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, three counts of Conspiracy 2^nd, three counts of Theft, three counts of Criminal Mischief, Attempted Theft, and Criminal Trespass 2^nd.  He was given an additional $42,700.00 secured bond on those crimes.

On Monday July 25, Quadir Bryant was taken into custody by detectives from Troop 4 and charged with Attempted Robbery 1^st, Attempted Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Attempted Wearing of a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony five counts of Burglary 3^rd, three counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, three counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, six counts of Conspiracy 2^nd, four counts of Theft, five counts of Criminal Mischief, Attempted Theft, Criminal Trespass 2^nd, and Resisting Arrest.  He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on $208,000.00 cash bond.

Robert Mannings III was arrested on Tuesday July 26, 2016 by U.S. Marshall’s Task Force and Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit and charged with Attempted Robbery 1^st, Attempted Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Attempted Wearing of a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony five counts of Burglary 3^rd, three counts of Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, three counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, six counts of Conspiracy 2^nd, four counts of Theft, five counts of Criminal Mischief, Attempted Theft, and Criminal Trespass 2^nd, and Resisting Arrest.  He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $83,000.00 secured bond.

Mightys Gibbs is still wanted for Burglary 3rd, Wearing of a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Burglary Tools, Conspiracy 2^nd, two counts of Theft, two counts of Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass 2nd.

If anyone has any information in reference to the whereabouts of Mightys Gibbs they are asked to contact Detective D. Blomquist at 302-698-8426. 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: 072816 2030

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

New Castle, DE- Delaware State Police are currently investigating the armed robbery of a New Castle area BP gas station that occurred last night.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 8:36 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, as a male suspect entered the BP gas station located at 2360 Pulaski Highway, New Castle. The suspect, who was armed with an unknown make and model knife, confronted a male employee of the business and 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 was last seen fleeing on foot through the fuel court around the north side of the car wash. There were no injuries.

The suspect was described as a white male. Approximately 5’07”-5’08” tall, 22 to 40 years of age, and weighed 130-140 lbs., with his face covered. 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.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Released: 072816 1601

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