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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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

-End-