Last week, on June 15, firefighters from the Mill Creek Fire Company were dispatched to fire call in the unit block of Patrician Blvd. in the community of Limestone Terrace.
When the firefighters arrived, they discovered the report of the fire to be false and notified the New Castle County Division of Police, according to police.
When patrol officers arrived, they learned from the firefighters that they had been dispatched to the same apartment complex multiple times over the past year for false reports of fires. They also learned that incidents were being investigated by the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office who developed 25-year-old Shane Windell as a person of interest in these incidents, police said Monday.
Officials said the patrol officers also located witnesses who saw Windell, just as the firefighters were arriving, exit a blue in color sedan wearing a police-style tactical vest with a police badge and what appeared to be a holstered firearm. Officers located the vehicle Windel exited, it was a blue in color 2010 Chevy Cobalt displaying DE registration 309530. Inside that vehicle, they observed a police-style tactical vest, according to a statement released by police.
Detectives from the New Castle Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit FBI Task Force assisted by ATF agents assumed the investigation.
Last Thursday, June 20th, Shane Windell was taken into custody. He was taken to New Castle County Division of Police Headquarters where he was charged with one count of misdemeanor Criminal Impersonation Pretends to be Public Servant Wears Uniform and Badge. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.
The investigation is still ongoing with the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Officials said based on this investigation, detectives are concerned that there may be additional citizens that may have had contact with Windell while he was impersonating a police officer. They are asking anyone who has any additional information regarding Windell to contact the New Castle County Division of Police at (302) 573-2800.