Bridgeville – Over the last couple of days, the Delaware State Police has seen an increase in thefts from vehicles at a dozen locations in the Clearbrooke and Lake Shore developments south of Bridgeville, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier,
Fournier said State Police learned that an undetermined number of suspects entered approximately a dozen different vehicles stealing items and also rummaging through unsecured vehicles. The suspects stole items ranging from purses to electronic devices, and U.S. currency, according to Fournier. In most of these cases the vehicles were parked in the victim’s driveways and were unsecured.
The Delaware State Police urge people to utilize the following tips:
Lock your car doors and roll up you windows
Do not leave valuables inside your vehicle
Leave outdoor lights on in the driveway or have security lighting installed
Report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1 immediately
Dover – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Smyrna man for driving a stolen vehicle, according to Fournier.
Fournier said the incident occurred around 10:07 p.m. Tuesday June 20, 2017 when a trooper on patrol in the area of South DuPont Highway (US13) and South Governors Avenue observed a 2013 Toyota Prius traveling southbound on US13. A computer inquiry into the registration revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen on May 22, 2017 from a residence out of New Castle County, according to Fournier. The trooper activated the emergency equipment on the patrol vehicle in order to conduct a traffic stop, when the vehicle accelerated and continued traveling southbound on US13, said Fournier. The vehicle failed to stop at a red light and upon entering into the intersection at US13 and Thomas Harmon Drive (entrance to Camden Walmart) was struck on the passenger’s side by a 2016 Infiniti QX70 being operated by a 40-year-old Dover man. Kyree A. Custis, 26, was taken into custody without further incident once the vehicle came to a stop in the grassy shoulder south of the intersection.
The 40-year-old Infiniti operator was uninjured in the collision.
Kyree Custis and a 31-year-old male passenger were transported by EMS to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where they were treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. Kyree Custis was then taken to Troop 3 in Camden where he was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Aggressive Driving, Reckless Driving, Driving without a Valid License, and other traffic related offenses. He was arraigned at JP7 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $1,304.00 secured bond for those charges as well $25,000.00 cash for a Violation of Probation.
The passenger was not charged with any crimes.
Lewes – A Rehoboth man was arrested early this morning after a traffic stop by Lewes Police Department uncovers a theft of the car.
Fournier said around 12:17 a.m. this morning, Wednesday June 21, 2017, officers with Lewes Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler 300 just south of Atlantic Avenue on Kings Highway. The traffic stop was performed after a computer inquiry into the registration revealed the tag displayed was not on the correct vehicle. Contact was made with the registered owner who advised the vehicle should be parked at Below Book Auto Sales, located at 1608 Savannah Road, for repairs. At that point, James F. Mulholland, 19, and a 16-year-old passenger were placed in custody until troopers could arrive to continue the investigation. A search of the vehicle located two hand-held Motorola radios, 13 Fuelman gas cards, and two sets of keys which were later identified to belong to the Cape Henlopen High School, according to Fournier.
Through the investigation it was learned that James Mulholland had gone to Below Book Auto Sales around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday June 18, 2017 and located the Chrysler 300 parked in the parking lot with the keys still inside. He then drove the vehicle to the Weis Markets across the street where he picked up the 16-year-old friend. Later that day, the two were at Cape Henlopen High School playing basketball when they saw a custodian at the maintenance building. The two began talking to the custodian and without him knowing, James allegedly removed two radios and two sets of keys, according to Fournier. That same evening, James returned to the school alone and entered the parking lot where the buses are parked and then entered numerous buses and removed 13 Fuelman gas cards, added Fournier.
James Mulholland was charged by state police with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Theft Under $1500, and two counts of Criminal Trespass. He was arraigned at JP3 and released on $3,000.00 unsecured bond. Lewes PD also charge Mulholland with Receive or Transfer a Stolen Vehicle, Receiving Stolen Property, and Fictitious Registration. These charges levied a $2,000.00 unsecured bond.
The 16-year-old was not charged with any crimes.
Rehoboth – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery of a Weis Markets food store that occurred Tuesday evening.
Fournier said the incident occurred around 9:05 p.m. Tuesday June 20, 2017 as a male subject, armed with an unknown type object, entered the Weis Markets, located at 19287 Miller Road, and jumped over a checkout counter to gain access to the register. The suspect then pried two of the registers open and removed an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the store, said Fournier. The suspect was last seen entering a light colored SUV and driving northbound on Airport Road toward Old Landing Road. No employees or customers were injured.
The suspect was described as a white male, 20-25 years of age, 5’08”-5’09” tall, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, gloves, and a mask covering the lower portion of his face (no further physical or clothing description available). Armed with an unknown type object thought to be a knife.
South Dover – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery of a Rodney Village Shopping Plaza liquor store that occurred early Tuesday evening
Fournier said the incident occurred around 9:16 p.m. Tuesday June 20, 2017 as a male subject, armed with a shotgun, entered the Village Package Store, located at 1614 South Governors Avenue, and approached the clerk at the counter where he demanded cash from the register. The employee complied with the demand and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash before the suspect, along with another male subject who was standing at the door, fled northbound through the shopping plaza toward the bowling alley, said Fournier. The clerk was not injured.
The first suspect was described as a black male with a mask covering his face (no further physical or clothing description available). Armed with an unknown type shotgun.
The second suspect was described only as a black male with a mask covering his face. Unknown if he was armed.
Due to the similarities between this incident and the robbery of the Valero on Monday night (Detectives Investigating Robbery of South Dover Gas Station), detectives believe the same suspects are involved.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police Tahoe, Delaware State Police