Harrington, DE-Delaware State Police arrested Eric J. Tomko, 18, of Frederica, Dwayne D Wiltbank, 19, of Lincoln, Damian J. Lee, 22, of Smyrna, and Howard W. Bowman, 19, of Milford, on multiple criminal charges after being arrested early Thursday morning for an attempted home invasion and thefts from unlocked vehicles. Howard Bowman was also arrested for additional charges after shooting at an individual when confronted during the theft from unlocked vehicles.
On February 3, 2022, at approximately 1:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Jackson’s Ridge community for a report of individuals actively breaking into vehicles. At approximately the same time, a 27-year-old male was sleeping inside a home in the 300 block of Jefferson Wood Drive when he heard the sound of someone walking around his property. When he looked outside, he observed a male wearing dark clothing and a ski-mask walk through his driveway and look into the windows of his parked car. The resident immediately exited his home and began yelling at the suspect to leave the property. The suspect began running, and the homeowner followed, resulting in the suspect turning around and firing one shot in the homeowner’s direction. The homeowner immediately ducked and turned around to find cover. At this time, two Harrington Police Officers arrived at the scene to assist the Delaware State Police with the in-progress incident. A perimeter was established by responding officers, and a canvas of the area was conducted. As officers were canvassing Pleasant Pine Circle and Thornwood Drive, a silver sedan was observed, and troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Contact was made with the driver, Eric Tomko, and two firearms were located in plain sight inside the car. Tomko was taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 3. Dwayne Wiltbank and Damian Lee were located walking in the 100 block of E. Lucky Drive as troopers were canvassing the surrounding area. The two males were detained for further investigation.
The investigation determined Tomko, Wiltbank, and Lee planned to commit a home invasion earlier during the night, but after being unsuccessful with gaining entry, they responded to the Harrington communities to break into unsecured motor vehicles. Multiple thefts from unsecured vehicles occurred in the Lucky Estates, Pine Ridge, and Jackson’s Ridge communities. Also involved in the incidents was a fourth suspect who was later identified as Howard W. Bowman. Through investigative measures, Bowman was identified as the suspect who shot at the victim on Jefferson Wood Drive. On February 3, 2022, Bowman turned himself in to Delaware State Police Troop 3.