Author: elijahagwu

Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Colleen Floyd of Delaware City and 55-year-old David Mitchell of Newark for burglary and other related charges stemming from incidents at the now-closed Emily Bissell Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

The investigation began in August 2024 after troopers received several reports of trespassing and theft from the vacant facility at 3000 Newport Gap Pike. As a result, troopers began conducting surveillance regarding the complaints.

On September 8, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., surveillance captured an unknown white male arriving on foot carrying a large backpack. The suspect was later seen leaving with copper piping and other materials cut from inside the building, causing significant damage to the facility.

On September 10, 2024, at approximately 11:51 p.m., surveillance cameras alerted detectives to two individuals, later identified as Floyd and Mitchell, entering the building. Troopers arrived at the facility and heard what they believed to be a loud sawing noise coming from inside. Troopers began searching the building and found both suspects, who were subsequently taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Mitchell was carrying the same backpack linked to the burglary at the hospital on September 8, 2024.

Floyd and Mitchell were taken to Troop 2, where they were charged with multiple crimes.

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Floyd was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution on a $11,000 cash bond.

· Burglary 3rd Degree (Felony)

· Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)

· Criminal Mischief Over $5,000 (Felony)

· Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

· Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500

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Mitchell was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $17,000 secured bond.

· Burglary 3rd Degree- 2 counts (Felony)

· Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)

· Criminal Mischief Over $5,000- 2 counts (Felony)

· Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)

· Theft Under $1,500

· Attempted to Commit Theft Under $1,500

 

The Delaware State Police remain committed to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for trespassing and other criminal activities at the Emily Bissell Hospital site. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this case to contact Detective Leonardi of Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit by calling 302-365-8471. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

 

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Delaware State Police arrested 47-year-old Darnell Strand of Blades, Delaware, for felony DUI and gun charges following a crash investigation in Laurel.

On September 6, 2024, at approximately 9:10 p.m., troopers responded to a crash involving a Nissan Sentra and a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Seaford Road near Camp Road in Laurel. Before troopers arrived, they were told that the driver of the Nissan was trying to leave the scene. When troopers arrived, they contacted the driver of the Nissan, identified as Darnell Strand. He showed signs of impairment and refused Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. When troopers tried to arrest Strand, he resisted by pulling away but was ultimately taken into custody. During a search of Strand, troopers found approximately 25 grams of marijuana. During a search of the Nissan, they found a scale and a loaded handgun. A computer check showed that Strand had two previous DUI-related convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The driver and passenger in the Jeep were not injured.

Strand was taken to Troop 5 where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $9,506 cash bond.

• Possession a Firearm by Person Prohibited who also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by Person Prohibited (Felony) – 2 counts
• DUI 3^rd Offense (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Consumption of Marijuana in a Vehicle
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Resisting Arrest
• Multiple Traffic Violations

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Delaware State Police have arrested 47-year-old Charles Smedley of Wilmington, Delaware, for aggravated menacing and weapon offenses after he caused a disturbance at a construction site Thursday afternoon in Middletown.

On September 4, 2024, at approximately 2:10 p.m., troopers responded to a construction site in the area of Pennfield Drive and Port Penn Road in Middletown, for a report of a man causing a disturbance while armed with a weapon resembling a machete. Responding troopers observed the suspect as he was attempting to leave the construction site in a Chevrolet truck and conducted a traffic stop. Troopers made contact with the driver, identified as Charles Smedley.

In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned Smedley began arguing with one of his former co-workers after he was fired from the construction site. During the argument, Smedley pushed the 24-year-old victim into a construction machine, which then led to a physical altercation between the two. Shortly after the physical altercation ended, Smedley grabbed a large sharp object that resembled a machete from the bed of his truck and held it at his side as he approached the victim in a menacing manner. The victim walked away from Smedley while his co-workers intervened to keep them separated.

Throughout their contact with Smedley, troopers observed multiple signs of impairment, including the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. During the investigation, troopers conducted a search of Smedley’s truck, which led to the discovery of a large piece of sharp metal in the bed of the truck, several empty containers of alcoholic beverages, and several unopened containers of alcoholic beverages. Smedley was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

Smedley was taken to Troop 9, where troopers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. A computer inquiry revealed Smedley has 2 prior DUI-related convictions, and is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a deadly weapon. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $50,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Deady Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• 3^rd Offense DUI (Felony)

The post Troopers Arrest Wilmington Man for Felony DUI and Aggravated Menacing appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Hassan Bratcher and a 13-year-old male, both of Wilmington, Delaware, for a strong-arm robbery that occurred in the Wilmington area.

On September 1, 2024, at approximately 1:06 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery that occurred in the area of Maryland Avenue and West Summit Avenue in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed that the 21-year-old victim was riding his bicycle on Maryland Avenue when he approached 4 unknown males, and inquired about illicit substances. After the suspects declined, they demanded the victim’s property and pushed him to the ground. The suspects proceeded to repeatedly punch and kick the victim before taking his property and fleeing in an unknown direction.

While conducting routine patrols in the area, officers from the New Castle County Police Department (NCCPD) observed the suspects as they were fleeing. NCCPD Officers successfully apprehended 2 of the suspects, later identified as Hassan Bratcher and the 13-year-old male. Additionally, NCCPD Officers located some of the victim’s property within close proximity of Bratcher while taking him into custody. The 13-year-old suspect was taken into custody after he was observed fleeing from the scene on the victim’s bicycle. The 13-year-old suspect initially provided a false name to investigators, however, was later positively identified by his parent.

Responding troopers and New Castle County Police Department Officers searched the area for the remaining suspects, but were unable to locate them. The two unknown suspects are described as black males. Surveillance video and images are not yet available.

The 13-year-old suspect was released into his parent’s custody. The teen and his parent were advised the investigation was ongoing, and charges would be pending for the teen. Bratcher was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple crimes.

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At Troop 2, Bratcher was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $2,500 secured bond.

• Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Assault 3^rd Degree

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On September 4, 2024, the 13-year-old turned himself in at Troop 2. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $7,000 secured bond.

• Robbery 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Assault 3^rd Degree
• Criminal Impersonation

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the two unknown suspects or this case to contact the Troop 2 Robbery Unit by calling (302) 365-8566. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].

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