A Dover man was arrested after police said he threatened two people with a gun and sprayed a woman with pepper spray near a hotel Thursday night.
The incident occurred on April 16, 2026, at about 10:20 p.m. in the area behind the Microtel at 1703 East Lebanon Road in Dover. According to investigators, a man and woman were walking along a path behind the hotel when they were approached by an unknown man.
Police said the suspect threatened the pair, pointed a gun at them, and sprayed the woman with pepper spray before fleeing the area. The two victims ran to safety and called 911. The woman was evaluated by EMS at the scene but declined further medical treatment.
Investigators later identified the suspect as 45-year-old Joseph Chapler of Dover and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Chapler was taken into custody on April 17 and transported to Troop 3 for processing.
He was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of aggravated menacing, two counts of terroristic threatening, and third-degree criminal trespass.
Chapler was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $94,001 cash bond.
