The cleanup of an oil spill from an unknown source continues Monday, one week after oil patties first washed ashore on Broadkill Beach and began migrating to other Delaware beaches on both the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Coast. About 55 tons – enough to fill four construction dumpsters – had been successfully recovered through Sunday afternoon under the unified command of the United States Coast Guard and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

“The job of removing oil from our beaches is challenging and labor-intensive, but we’re making progress,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Our teams are getting more and more of it off our beaches every day.”

More than 100 personnel have been engaged in the cleanup operation daily over most of the last week, working where needed along the Delaware coastline. Surveys over the weekend and early Monday found small globs of oil and oily debris scattered from Bowers Beach to Fenwick Island. An additional information advisory originally issued for bay beaches last week was extended to some ocean beaches, which now includes the following areas: Slaughter Beach, Fowler Beach, Prime Hook Beach, Broadkill Beach, Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and the Indian River Inlet.

The towns of Lewes and Dewey Beach closed their beaches temporarily due to the oil that washed up on shore, some of it settling into a gravel-like substance, known as tar balls. Signs were posted by local authorities at beach crossovers and on dune fences informing the public to avoid the oil patties and tar balls at the water’s edge, and of area closures. The 4-wheel drive surf fishing crossing at Delaware Beach Plum Island Preserve, overseen by Delaware State Parks, also remains closed so cleanup operations will not be hampered by vehicles tracking oil onto the sand.

“Our crews and technology are yielding positive results,” said USCG Lt. Cmdr. Fredrick Pugh, federal incident commander. “We’re seeing a lot of this pollutant coming off of our beaches by the ton and that feels like a high level of productivity, but we’re not letting up. These communities need their beaches back.”

The unified command received additional reports of oiled birds, but they were not encumbered by the oil. Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research of Newark remains on standby to treat any birds that may require rehabilitation.

While the oil spill cleanup continues, the Coast Guard and DNREC strongly advise the public not to handle any oily product found or attempt to assist affected wildlife along the shore, but to report these findings to DNREC’s environmental hotline at 800-662-8802 so the situations can be addressed by hazmat-trained professionals.

North Wilmington and New Castle – A multi-agency operation conducted on Thursday, October 22, 2020, at targeted locations in the North Wilmington, Claymont, and New Castle areas has resulted in the arrests of 57 individuals on criminal charges.

The crime blitz focused on the Philadelphia Pike, Governor Printz Blvd, Lancaster Avenue, Lea Blvd, and DuPont Highway corridors as well as the greater Claymont and New Castle vicinities. The operation was conducted in these areas to target criminal activity and to address ongoing quality of life issues.

This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Delaware State Police, Wilmington Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Newport Police Department, Newark Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Probation and Parole, Department of Corrections, and Justice of the Peace Court 11.

During the eight-hour enforcement blitz, police arrested 57 individuals for either a criminal charge or outstanding capias resulting in the clearance of 67 active warrants. There were a total of 164 traffic and 47 criminal arrests made, as well as three DUI arrests.

Seized during the operation were 3 firearms, approximately 5.145 grams of Heroin (735 baggies), approximately 488 grams of marijuana, approximately 16.1 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 718.24 grams of K2, one Motor Vehicle Seizure (2014 Toyota Camry) and drug paraphernalia.

There were several noteworthy investigations. For example, Troopers stopped a subject for a tinted windows violation on Rogers Road.  A consent search was obtained and a 9MM Smith and Wesson was located under the passenger seat.  The firearm was reported stolen in Maryland.   Defendant was charged with two counts of Person Prohibited, Receiving a Stolen Firearm and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. In an additional case, Troopers stopped a motor vehicle for traffic violations and the operator had three active capiases in addition to a suspended license.  He was placed into custody for the outstanding warrants and a vehicle search was conducted on his vehicle.   Troopers recovered 53 bags of K2 with a weight of approximately 718.24 grams, 735 Heroin bags for a total weight of approximately 5.145 grams and approximately .44 grams of Methamphetamine.  Defendant was charged with two felonies and four misdemeanors for the illegal narcotics.  Defendant is a probationer who had two active Violation of Probation capiases.

Newark- The Delaware State Police have arrested six suspects (21-year-old Naere Alexander-Thorpe of Chester, PA, 22-year-old Breon Cobb of Chester, PA, 21-year-old Dion Cobb of Chester, PA, 24-year-old Kahleef Bennet-Hawkins of Marcus Hook, PA, 21-year-old Jahad Brister of Upper Darby, PA, and 23-year-old Col Green of Bear, DE) for robbery and conspiracy following an incident at the Christiana Mall in June.

The incident occurred on June 18th, 2020, at approximately 5:51 p.m., in front of the Finish Line store located inside of the Christiana Mall. Upon Troopers arrival, it was learned a 17-year-old male was surrounded by a large group of individuals who confronted him concerning his clothing. After a brief altercation, two unknown suspects assaulted the victim. The suspects removed the victim’s sweatshirt and took other personal belongings. Through investigative measures, the aforementioned suspects were identified and each charged with one count of Robbery 1^st and one count of Conspiracy 2^nd.  All suspects were taken into custody in Pennsylvania and held for extradition.

On October 22, 2020, Naere Alexander-Thorpe was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $27,000 cash bond.

On September 18, 2020, Dion Cobb was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace and released after posting bail on $27,000 cash bond.

On July 31, 2020, Kahleef Bennet-Hawkins was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace and released after posting bail on $21,000 secured bond and awaiting trial.

On July 27, 2020, Jahad Brister was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $22,000 secured bond. Brister has since been released and awaiting trial.

On July 20, 2020, Breon Cobb was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $41,000 cash bond. Breon has since been released and awaiting trial.

On July 20, 2020, Col Green was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $41,000 cash bond. Green has since been released and awaiting trial.

Smyrna, DE – On Sunday, October 25, 2020, at approximately 11:02 p.m., Troopers responded to Kristin Court, Smyrna, for reports of shots fired.

The investigation determined that a residence located on Kristin Court was struck with a single bullet, shattering a bathroom window. The residence struck by gunfire was occupied at the time, but no one was harmed.

There is currently no description of the suspect.

At this time there have been no reported injuries as a result of this incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Delaware State Police, Trooper Eichlin at 302-378-5218.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of 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 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at [email protected].

Millsboro- Delaware State Police arrested 48-year-old Theodore A. Guajardo of Millsboro on felony criminal charges following an incident Sunday night. 

On October 25, 2020, at approximately 9:53 p.m., Delaware State Police responded to William Street for a disorderly subject. Through the investigation, troopers discovered Guajardo was intoxicated and would not leave the residence when asked by the resident. Upon arrival, troopers attempted to contact Guajardo, who exited the home with a wooden bat and threatened the troopers before returning inside. Additional attempts were made by troopers to have Guajardo exit the residence, at which time he then exited the home with a metal baseball bat. Guajardo continued to threaten to cause bodily harm to the troopers while approaching them with the bat and swinging it recklessly. Guajardo failed to obey multiple commands to put down the bat and was subsequently tased and continued to resist arrest. After a brief struggle, he was taken into custody, and an ambulance was requested for Guajardo and he was cleared of any injuries. The troopers were not injured.

Guajardo was transported to Troop 4, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Terroristic Threatening
• Resisting Arrest

Guajardo was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $68,000.00 cash bond.

Bridgeville, De – Delaware State Police arrested 39-year-old Terry J. Bruinton of Georgetown on 5th Offense DUI following a traffic stop Monday afternoon.

On October 26, 2020, at approximately 12:42 p.m., a trooper traveling on Sussex Highway in the area of Newton Road observed a silver Acura TL traveling southbound, speeding, and failing to remain in a single lane. A traffic stop was initiated, and upon contact with the operator, a strong odor of alcoholic beverages was detected. A DUI investigation ensued, and the operator of the vehicle was identified as Terry J. Bruinton. A computer check revealed Bruinton had four previous DUI convictions.

Bruinton was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 5, where he was charged with the following crimes:

• 5th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Driving While Suspended
• Failed to Remain in Single Lane
• Speeding in Excess of 55 MPH

Bruinton was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $6,200.00 cash bond.

NEWARK, DE – Delaware State Police are on the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a trash truck that occurred at approximately 6:13 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2020, on Route 273 in the area of South Harmony Road.