The Dover Police Department has charged a man in connection to the vandalized Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial, according to M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer.
Hoffman said officers investigating the incident found a cell phone at that the scene. While on scene, Kyle Bullock, 42, came back and asked the officers if they had seen a cell phone, claiming that he lost it in the area while participating in prior protest activity, according to Hoffman. Bullock then quickly left the scene.
Hoffman said officers were able to determine the phone belonged to Bullock and obtained warrants for his arrest. Officers were later able to obtain video evidence of the incident.
Prior to this incident, Bullock had been observed in the area of protest activity in Dover and at the Dover Police Department becoming disorderly towards law enforcement officials and civilian employees he encountered.
While he was often seen in the area of protest activity, Bullock was not a part of the group of organized persons that have conducted protest activity in the Dover area since May 31st, 2020. Several members of the protest group advised law enforcement throughout their demonstrations that Bullock was not with their group and asked law enforcement to be aware of him as well.
The Delaware State Police arrested Bullock at his residence on Friday evening without incident. He was committed to SCI on a $5,100 cash bond on a single count of Felony level Criminal Mischief Over $5,000.
Original Story
The Dover Police Department is investigating an incident where the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial was damaged by a suspect with an axe, according to M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer.
At approximately 5:35 AM on Friday, June 12th, officers received a call from a passerby that a subject was striking the memorial with a sledgehammer. When officers arrived, the suspect was not present, however, officers found significant damage to the neck of the kneeling officer statue.
In addition to the damage, two State of Delaware flags were laid in front of the officer statue and soaked in urine. An axe was also left at the scene.
Dover Police said they cannot release specific details at this time, however, they are confident that the suspect, in this case, is not affiliated with a group of demonstrators that have conducted protest activity in recent days.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com; a cash reward of up to $1,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest.
