DOVER, Del. — A 45-year-old man faces multiple charges after Delaware State Police say he threatened two people with a gun and sprayed a woman with pepper spray behind a Dover hotel.
Joseph Chapler, of Dover, was arrested April 17 following the late-night incident reported the previous evening near the Microtel on East Lebanon Road, according to Delaware State Police.
Victims confronted on path behind hotel
Troopers responded around 10:20 p.m. on April 16 to the hotel parking lot at 1703 East Lebanon Road after a report of assault and aggravated menacing.
Investigators say a man and woman were walking along a path behind the property when they were approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect allegedly threatened them, pointed a firearm in their direction, and sprayed the female victim with pepper spray before fleeing the area.
The victims were able to get to safety and call 911. Emergency medical services evaluated the woman at the scene, but she declined further medical treatment.
Suspect identified and arrested
Detectives later identified Chapler as the suspect through investigative efforts and obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said.
He was taken into custody on April 17 and transported to State Police Troop 3 for processing.
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Key Points
• Dover man accused of threatening two people with a gun near Microtel hotel
• Woman sprayed with pepper spray; declined additional medical treatment
• Suspect arrested the next day and held on $94,001 cash bond
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Charges and court status
Chapler was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 on multiple charges related to assault and aggravated menacing. Authorities did not release a full list of charges in the initial announcement.
He was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $94,001 cash bond.
Ongoing case
Delaware State Police have not released additional details about what led up to the encounter or whether the suspect and victims knew each other.
The case remains active as it proceeds through the court system, with Chapler in custody pending further proceedings.
