Police make arrest in water tower shooting investigation.
On Friday, May, 1st 2020,at approximately 10:50 P.M. Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the area of Washington Ave, Wilmington, Delaware in reference to shots fired call for service.
When officers arrived in the area, they learned that the SUEZ water tower located at 117 Washington Ave, Wilmington, had been struck. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the water tower had 2 holes which caused a leak from it. At this time, the structural integrity of the tower is intact and there is no immediate threat to the neighboring communities.
On May 3rd, 2020 a second incident was reported where a subject had shot the water tower located on Washington Ave, in Wilmington. On May 4th, 2020, detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit Property Squad assumed the investigation.
In both cases, the water tower was punctured by bullets causing significant damage.
During this investigation, a third incident was reported where a suspect again shot at the water tower which was now empty. Officials did not say when the third incident occurred, however, First State Update learned from a resident that he heard shots fired at the tower earlier this week.
During the police investigation, detectives developed 29-year-old Richard Sitek as a suspect, according to officials.
Yesterday, May 14, a search warrant was created and inside of his apartment, multiple firearms were located along with amounts of anabolic steroids, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia.
The investigation also revealed that Sitek was responsible for damaging Comcast cable/internet lines to elderly residents that lived in his apartment complex, officials said Friday.
He was taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters. There he was charged with: three counts of felony Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, three counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, three counts of felony Criminal Mischief Damage is Greater Than $5000, seven counts of felony Criminal Mischief-Tampers with Utilities Causing Substantial Interruption, one count of felony Possession of a Controlled Substance (Tier 2), two counts of misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, one count misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and three counts of New Castle County Code Violation, Discharging a Firearm in the Area of an Occupied Dwelling.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $75,000 secured bail.
