U.S. Marshals Capture Suspect In Ride-Share-Driver Murder After Seven Weeks

Today, U.S. Marshal Michael C. McGowan announced the arrest of Michael Toombs by The United States Marshals Service (USMS) First State Fugitive Task Force in Chester, Pennsylvania.

McGowan said Michael Toombs, 23, of Chester, Pennsylvania, was wanted by New Castle County Police on charges of Murder First Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the December 12, 2019 murder of a 42-year-old Lyft driver In New Castle County, Delaware.

The USMS First State Fugitive Task Force developed information that Toombs was actively evading law enforcement and residing in several states since the December 12, 2019 incident, according to McGowan.

Toombs ultimately surrendered to United States Marshals Service Task Force personnel putting an end to the seven-week long manhunt. Toombs was subsequently turned over to the Chester Police Department pending extradition to Delaware.

The U.S. Marshals First State Fugitive Task Force in the District of Delaware is comprised of state, county, and local police agencies including Delaware State Police, Delaware State Probation and Parole, Wilmington Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Milford Police Department, Dover Police Department, and the University of Delaware Police Department.

Original Story

Last Thursday night, Dec 12, 2019, at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the unit block of Simca Lane, in the Dorjul Apartments for reports of a shooting which had just occurred.

Several patrol units arrived at the scene and located the 42-year-old victim. The victim had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit later identified the 42-year-old victim as Roger Williams of Newark, Delaware.  Police say the investigation further revealed that Williams was employed by a ride-share service and was working when this incident occurred.

Friends of Williams contacted First State Update earlier this week and told us that he was an UBER driver that would not have been in that area of town unless he was working.

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Officials said that Detectives have identified 23-year-old Michael Toombs of Chester, Pennsylvania as the suspect in this homicide. Michael Toombs is currently wanted on charges of Murder First Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

Detectives do not believe that this homicide is related to any other incidents in the area, however, Michael Toombs should be considered armed and dangerous.

“We offer our condolences to the family as this was a heinous act that took the life of an innocent person.”, stated Colonel Vaughn M. Bond, Jr. “Detectives and officers have worked side by side with members of the community to identify Michael Toombs as the suspect in this investigation. We continue to ask anyone who might know the whereabouts of Michael Toombs to contact us.”

If you have any information and/or video pertaining to this investigation or know the whereabouts of Michael Toombs please contact Detective Jeffrey Sendek ([email protected]) or at (302) 395-8130.

 

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First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

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