Delaware State Police have arrested four men in connection to a Thursday morning home invasion, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper.
Pepper said on February 3, 2022, at approximately 1:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Jackson’s Ridge community in Harrington for a report of individuals actively breaking into vehicles.
At approximately the same time, a 27-year-old male was sleeping inside a home in the 300 block of Jefferson Wood Drive when he heard the sound of someone walking around his property. When he looked outside, he observed a male wearing dark clothing and a ski-mask walk through his driveway and look into the windows of his parked car. The resident immediately exited his home and began yelling at the suspect to leave the property. The suspect began running, and the homeowner followed, resulting in the suspect turning around and firing one shot in the homeowner’s direction said Pepper.
The homeowner immediately ducked and turned around to find cover. At this time, two Harrington Police Officers arrived at the scene to assist the Delaware State Police with the in-progress incident. A perimeter was established by responding officers, and a canvas of the area was conducted. As officers were canvassing Pleasant Pine Circle and Thornwood Drive, a silver sedan was observed, and troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Contact was made with the driver, Eric Tomko, 18, of Frederica, and two firearms were located in plain sight inside the car. Tomko was taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 3. Dwayne D Wiltbank, 19, of Lincoln, Damian J. Lee, 22, of Smyrna, were located walking in the 100 block of E. Lucky Drive as troopers were canvassing the surrounding area. They were detained for further investigation.
The investigation determined Tomko, Wiltbank, and Lee planned to commit a home invasion earlier during the night, but after being unsuccessful with gaining entry, they responded to the Harrington communities to break into unsecured motor vehicles said Pepper. Multiple thefts from unsecured vehicles occurred in the Lucky Estates, Pine Ridge, and Jackson’s Ridge communities. Also involved in the incidents was a fourth suspect who was later identified as Howard W. Bowman, 19, of Milford. Through investigative measures, Bowman was identified as the suspect who shot at the victim on Jefferson Wood Drive added Pepper. On February 3, 2022, Bowman turned himself into Delaware State Police Troop 3.
Howard Bowman
Attempted First Degree Murder (Felony)
2 counts- Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
2 counts- Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Home Invasion (Felony)
4 counts- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
2 counts- Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500
6 counts- Conspiracy Third Degree
8 counts- Theft Under $1,500
7 counts- Criminal Trespass Third Degree
3 counts- Theft Under $1,500 Where Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
Bowman was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $108,500.00 cash bond.
Eric Tomko
Attempted to Commit Home Invasion (Felony)
4 counts- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500
6 counts- Conspiracy Third Degree
8 counts- Theft Under $1,500
7 counts- Criminal Trespass Third Degree
3 counts- Theft Under $1,500 Where Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
Tomko was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and released on a $22,500.00 unsecured bond.
Dwayne D Wiltbank
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Home Invasion (Felony)
4 counts- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500
6 counts- Conspiracy Third Degree
8 counts- Theft Under $1,500
7 counts- Criminal Trespass Third Degree
3 counts- Theft Under $1,500 Where Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
Wiltbank was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $34,500.00 cash bond.
Damian Lee
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Home Invasion (Felony)
4 counts- Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500
6 counts- Conspiracy Third Degree
8 counts- Theft Under $1,500
7 counts- Criminal Trespass Third Degree
3 counts- Theft Under $1,500 Where Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)
Lee was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $35,000.00 cash bond.