Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

North Dover – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Saturday evening north of Dover.

The incident occurred around 6:23 p.m. Saturday June 18, 2016 as Rod Zarafshar, 20 of McLean, Virginia, was operating a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Lewis Drive approaching Dyke Branch Road. Robert J. Falcone, 37 of Dover was operating a 2008 Ford F250 pick-up truck westbound on Dyke Branch Road approaching the same intersection.  The intersection is controlled by a stop sign for the north and southbound traffic on Lewis Drive and Dyke Branch Road has the right of way.  The Jeep failed to stop for the stop sign and entered into the intersection and into the path of the westbound pick-up truck which struck the Jeep on the passenger’s side.  Upon impact, both vehicles rotated in the roadway before coming to a stop on the northwest corner of the intersection.

A front seat passenger, Hunter B. Watson, 20 of McLean, Virginia, was properly restrained and pronounced dead at the scene.

Rod Zarafshar was properly restrained and airlifted to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted with undetermined injuries.

Robert Falcone was properly restrained and transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this case.  Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive was closed for approximately four hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 061916 0905

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

**Update #1 – Roadway Open**

Troopers Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash – North Dover 

North Dover – Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive has been re-opened. The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.

Further details will be released tomorrow morning. 

Released: 061816 2235

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**Traffic Advisory** 

Troopers Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash – North Dover 

North Dover – The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash on Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive that occurred around 6:23 p.m. this evening.

Preliminary investigation indicates the crash involved two vehicles and one person has died at the scene. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently enroute to the scene and will assume the investigation.

Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive is closed at this time. Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

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

Released: 061816 1920

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

North Dover – The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash on Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive that occurred around 6:23 p.m. this evening.

Preliminary investigation indicates the crash involved two vehicles and one person has died at the scene. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently enroute to the scene and will assume the investigation.

Dyke Branch Road at Lewis Drive is closed at this time. Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

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

Released: 061816 1920

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Greenwood, DE – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash that killed two people early this morning.

The incident occurred around 5:20 a.m., Saturday June 18, 2016, as a 21-year-old Milford man was operating a 2005 Dodge Neon northbound on Shawnee Road (SR36) negotiating a moderate right curve just south of the north end of Memory Road. For unknown reasons, the Neon exited the west side of the road and continued in a northerly direction along the edge of the road as it began to rotate clockwise.  The driver’s side door struck a tree which caused the car to rotate violently in a counter-clockwise direction and continue to slide in a northerly direction.  As the vehicle spun, the operator, who was not properly restrained, was ejected from the vehicle onto the southbound shoulder.  The Neon finally came to a stop in the front yard of a residence on the west side of the road facing in a south easterly direction.

Both the 21-year-old operator and a 19-year-old Lincoln man, who was not properly restrained in the left rear passenger seat, but not ejected, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 21-year-old male from Milford, who was not properly restrained in the front passenger’s seat, was transported from the scene by EMS to Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor in this collision.  SR36 between the north end and south end of Memory Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

Released: 061816 1545

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary Fournier 

New Castle, DE- Delaware State Police are investigating the robbery of an area auto parts store which occurred Friday evening.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m., Friday June 17, 2016, as two male suspects, one armed with an unknown type handgun, entered the Auto Zone located at 800 North DuPont Highway. The suspects approached two male employees at the counter and demanded money. The clerks complied with the suspect’s demands and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects then exited the store and fled in an unknown direction. Neither of the employees were injured.

The first suspect was described as a black male, 5’11” – 6’00” tall, 175-185 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black mask with a blue shirt and black gloves. No further physical or clothing description is available at this time. He was armed with unknown type handgun.

The second suspect was described as a black male, 5’06” – 5’07” tall, 160-165 lbs., and was last seen wearing a black mask and dark colored sweatshirt with black gloves. No further physical or clothing description is available at this time.  He was unarmed.

This incident remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police. 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, 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: 061816 1155

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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 contact 302-672-5306.  Information may also be provided via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Click to view larger image:

Released: 061816 1115

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

 Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police Robbery Unit Detectives have arrested a Wilmington man following a string of robberies he had committed since early April.

Following multiple interviews and examination of evidence detectives were able to identify Eric L. Hubbard, 55, of Wilmington, as the male suspect who had committed five robberies of four different businesses throughout New Castle County beginning on April 4, 2016. In each of the robberies, Hubbard would enter the targeted business and imply that he was armed. He would then demand cigarettes from the store employee, and once he received them, he would flee the business in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

Eric Hubbard was arrested at his residence without incident on Thursday, June 16, 2016. A subsequent search of his residence revealed evidence linking him to the robberies. He was transported to Troop 2, Glasgow, where he was charged with 4 counts of Robbery 1^st Degree, and 1 count of Robbery 2^nd Degree. Hubbard was arraigned at JP Court 11 and then committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution for lack of $15,000.00 cash bail.

Detectives were able to link Hubbard to the following robberies:

1. Rite Aid, 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle, Monday, April 4, 2016.
2. Rite Aid, 501 E. Basin Road, New Castle, Thursday, May 5, 2016.
3. Rite Aid, 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle, Monday, May 23, 2016.
4. Royal Farms, 3701 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Tuesday, June 7, 2016.
5. Walgreens, 1508 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Monday, June 13, 2016.

Released: 061716 1330

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Newark, DE- Delaware State Police have arrested a Newark man in connection with the robbery of an area restaurant that occurred last weekend.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at approximately 12:10 p.m., troopers were told to respond to the McDonald’s Restaurant located at 4625 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, in reference to a suspicious male subject who was loitering inside. As troopers were responding, they were advised that that the male subject matched the description of a suspect who had committed the robbery of the McDonald’s located at 4160 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, on June 12, 2016 at approximately 7:58 p.m. In that incident a male suspect entered the McDonald’s and responded behind the sales counter. He then pushed an employee away from a cash register and proceeded to remove an undisclosed amount of money from inside. The suspect, later identified as Michael S. Berwick, 25, of Newark, then fled in an unknown direction. At the time of the robbery, Berwick was wearing a gray t-shirt under a gray and green jacket, green camouflage shorts, and white and black sneakers.

As troopers arrived at the McDonald’s on Wednesday, they observed Berwick standing in the parking lot. As the troopers approached him, he fled but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Troopers noticed that Berwick was wearing the same clothes he had been wearing during the robbery which had occurred on June 12^th.

Michael Berwick was arrested and transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with Robbery 2^nd Degree. It was also discovered that he had outstanding warrants issued by Delaware State Police for Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also wanted by the New Castle County Police Department for Burglary and related charges, as well as by JP Court 11 for an active capias. Berwick was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution for lack of $8875.00 secured and $160.00 cash bond.

Released: 061716 0910

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Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

**Travel Advisory- Update**

Troopers On Scene of Jack- Knifed Tractor Trailer 

Wilmington, DE- All lanes on I-495 at the I-295 northbound and I-95 southbound ramps have been re-opened to traffic. Commuters should still expect slow moving traffic in the area.

Released: 061616 1505

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**Original Release**

**Travel Advisory**

Wilmington, DE- Delaware State Police, along with fire department personnel, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are currently at the scene of a jack knifed tractor trailer incident which has closed I-495 south of Wilmington.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred at approximately 12:37 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, June 16, 2016, on southbound I-495 at the ramp to I-295 northbound and I-95 southbound, Wilmington. There were no injuries and only one vehicle was involved.

As a result, traffic on southbound I-495 is being diverted onto the ramp to DE Rt. 141. Commuters are asked to find alternate routes of travel around the scene.

It is unknown how long the roadway will be closed. An update will be released once the roadway has been re-opened.

Released: 061616 1350

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Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard Bratz

Seaford, DE- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit has released the name of the male ATV operator who was killed in the apparent fatal motor vehicle crash as Paul C. W. Fleetwood, 36 of Seaford.

This incident remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.

Released: 061516   1301

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**Original Release**

State Police Conducting Death Investigation

Seaford, De.-The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently conducting an investigation of an apparent fatal crash of a man operating an ATV near a tax ditch.

The preliminary investigation has determined the crash occurred on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at approximately 4:22 p.m. at a private farm field on Bethel Concord Road, Seaford. A 2001 Polaris Sportsman 700 four wheel ATV was operated by a 36 year old male of Seaford, who was traveling in a north westerly direction on a private farm field along a tax ditch at the rear of the property. It appears the ground gave way along the ditch causing the ATV to roll to the right down an embankment approximately ten feet deep. The ATV came to rest on top of the operator who was found underneath the ATV at the bottom of the ditch which contained a very shallow amount of water.

The operator, who was found on Monday June 13, 2016 at approximately 8:49 p.m., was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Alcohol appears to be a factor.

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted and responded to the scene in order to remove the victim. An autopsy will be conducted in an attempt to determine the cause and manner of death. The name of the victim is being withheld at this point pending the notification of his next of kin.

Traffic on Bethel Concord Road was not affected during this investigation which occurred on private property.

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

Released: 061416  0911

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