The Delaware State Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred Saturday night in Newark.

On December 21, 2024, at approximately 10:48 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery that occurred on Salem Church Road in the area of Bradley Drive in Newark. The preliminary investigation revealed that the 3 teenage victims were walking on Salem Church Road when they were approached by a group of unknown suspects and assaulted. The suspects fled in a dark-colored pickup truck towards Pulaski Highway with various personal property belonging to the victims. The victims, a 17-year-old male, 16-year-old female, and 14-year-old female, sustained minor injuries.

The suspects are described as a black male, a Hispanic female, 2 teenage Hispanic females, 2 teenage Hispanic males, and 1 teenage white male. Surveillance video and images of the suspects are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact detectives by calling (302) 365-8566. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery stemming from a shoplifting that occurred at the Royal Farms in Wilmington on Saturday night.

On December 21, 2024, at approximately 9:27 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Royal Farms, located at 3701 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown white male suspect concealed merchandise on his person and attempted to leave the store with the unpaid products. Employees confronted the suspect as he exited the store, at which point the suspect displayed a handgun and threatened the employees. The suspect then fled from the store in a blue sedan driven by an unknown subject.

The suspect is described as a white male wearing dark-colored clothing. There is no further description available for the suspect vehicle or its driver. Surveillance video and images of the suspect and suspect vehicle are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact detectives by calling (302) 365-8566. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday night at the Budget Inn in New Castle that left one man dead.

On December 22, 2024, at approximately 8:21 p.m., troopers responded to the Budget Inn, located at 3 Memorial Drive, New Castle, for a report of a shooting. Upon arriving, troopers found the victim in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, a 49-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was transported by EMS to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified. Due to the circumstances, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was shot by an unknown suspect during a robbery that occurred in the rear parking lot of the motel. At this time, a description of the suspect is unavailable.

The Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by email at daniel.grassi@delaware.gov or by calling 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The following individual is not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individual is occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police is aware of recent sightings of potential drone activity throughout the state.  The operation of a drone is a legal activity.  If there is an occasion that you find a drone in a suspicious area or the appearance of suspicious activity, the Delaware State Police is asking that these events be reported to our Delaware Anti-Terrorism Tipline at 1-800-FORCE-1-2.  Reporting these events in this manner will allow experts to evaluate the details of the event for proper action.

Important Reminders About Drones

• Shooting at aircraft, including drones, is illegal.
• Many legal aircraft, both manned and unmanned, have lights visible at night. Drone flights after dark are permitted under certain conditions.
• Before reporting, consider using free resources such as FlightAware, Flightradar24, and ADSBexchange to help identify aircraft that may appear unusual but are operating legally.

How You Can Help:

1. Capture clear video evidence, if safe to do so.
2. Record specific details, including the sighting’s date, time, duration and location. Also note the size, movement, and unique features of the object.
3. Report promptly to the Delaware Anti-Terrorism Tipline for further investigation.
   • Phone: 1-800-FORCE-1-2
   • Email: force12@delaware.gov

What to Do if You See a Drone on the Ground

• Stay at a safe distance.
• Call 911 immediately.

Your vigilance ensures that reports are directed to the appropriate agency, helping law enforcement focus on critical incidents and maintain public safety. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping Delaware safe.

The Delaware State Police have identified 38-year-old William Malachi of New Castle, Delaware as the man who died in the single-vehicle fatal crash on Wednesday morning.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell by calling (302) 703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred this morning near Ellendale.

On December 18, 2024, at approximately 9:55 a.m., a Honda Accord was traveling northbound on Dupont Boulevard north of East Robbins Road. For reasons under investigation, the Honda left the east side of the road, traveled a short distance, and struck a tree.

The driver, a 37-year-old woman from Ellendale, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. An unrestrained front seat passenger, a 38-year-old man from New Castle, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

Dupont Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated the and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Sergeant A. Mitchell by calling (302) 703-3269. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or you have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

The following individual is not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individual is occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.