Officials said on Monday at 1:00 p.m., patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Single Avenue in the community of Collins Park in reference to a burglary report.
When the officers arrived, they learned from the victim that 55-year-old Sistillio Popo entered the residence wearing a black wig and threatened the occupants with a Taser, police said Tuesday.
The officers’ investigation further provided sufficient evidence for arrest warrants to be signed by Justice of the Peace Court 2.
Earlier today, members of the New Castle County Division of Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team executed the arrest warrant at the 100 block of Atlas Drive in Collins Park.
During this incident, a shelter in place order was given to the neighborhood via a Reverse 911 as Popo barricaded himself inside of the residence. While inside the residence, Popo began lobbing modified firework mortars at the team members, according to police.
After a self-induced mishap with a mortar, Popo surrendered and was transported to a local hospital for minor non-life-threatening injuries.
He was charged with one count of felony Burglary 2nd, one count of misdemeanor Terroristic Threatening and one count of misdemeanor Menacing.
Investigators at the scene are being assisted by the State of Delaware Fire Marshal’s Office reference additional charges due to the other modified fireworks located throughout the residence added police.
Breaking Report
At around 10:00 Tuesday Morning we began hearing reports that a tactical team was arriving in Collins Park in New Castle.
Initial reports indicated that residents were hearing flashbangs and seeing armored tactical vehicles arriving at a home in the 100 block of Atlas Drive.
At around this time, New Castle County Police issued a shelter in place request to nearby residents via reverse 911 and posted the following on social media. “New Castle County Division of Police is investigating an active scene in the 100 block of Atlas Drive in Collins Park. We are asking residents to please shelter in place until further advised. Thank you for your patience.”
In addition to the tactical teams, authorities dispatched the mobile command unit and officers to block off area streets. Drone operators from the Wilmington Fire and Police Departments also assisted at the scene.
As the incident continued on Atlas Drive, firefighters from Hollaway Terrace and several surrounding companies were dispatched for a reported house fire at the same location.
As those firefighters and several medic units responded to the scene they were told to stage on Cherry Lane near the house. Those crews remained staged until just after 12:30. Police have not released details about the incident, however, we do know that a Fire Marshal was also requested to respond to the house at around 12:30. It is not clear if there was a fire.
At 12:37 NCCPD issued the following statement “The shelter in place for the area of Collins Park has ended. The following streets will remain closed due to ongoing police activity. Riverview Drive at Delaware Drive, Riverview Drive at South Place, Delaware Drive at Atlas Drive, and Rodney Drive at Atlas Drive”
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