Dover teens arrested, three firearms found
By DOVER - A flurry of firearm-related arrests of teens continued Tuesday when three Dover males were taken into custody following an investigation, Dover police spokesman Mark Hoffman said.
Since April 26, according to police reports, eight males age 19 or younger have been arrested in five cases. Additionally, 12- and 17-year-old males were shot in an incident May 10.
The overall violence has been widespread in the city - as of May 12, there had been at least 10 shootings in the past 27 days, leaving five persons injured.
In the latest case, Shaquan Shields, 19, Devon Randall, 19, and Zyaier Payne, 18, were charged with felonies as three loaded handguns, heroin and marijuana were found.
Authorities said surveillance in a firearms investigation was ongoing when Mr. Shields was seen entering a vehicle as a passenger in the first block of South New Street. Police said the vehicle was stopped in a convenience store parking lot in the 200 block of South DuPont Highway at approximately 2:02 p.m. Officers contacted Mr. Shields, who was wanted on Family Court capias warrants, and police said 50.1 grams of marijuana was seen in plain view next to him.
Mr. Shields was taken into custody without incident. Police said he was in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun and 21 bags of heroin.
Police said Mr. Randall was seen with a handgun at the same South New Street address at approximately 3:50 p.m., and he fled into the New Hope Apartments building and into an apartment.
According to police, a loaded 9mm handgun was found in the path where Mr. Randall had fled. A search warrant was obtained for the apartment and Mr. Randall and Mr. Payne were taken into custody prior to executing the warrant.
Police said officers found a loaded .40 caliber handgun and 87.5 grams of marijuana.
The men were all charged with multiple counts of possession of a firearm/ammunition by person prohibited, along with drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
Mr. Shields was additionally charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon and possession of heroin. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $30,700 cash bond.
Mr. Randall was also charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, resisting arrest and second-degree conspiracy. He was committed to SCI on a $113,200 cash bond.
Mr. Payne was also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and second-degree conspiracy. He was committed to SCI on a $102,200 cash bond.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 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 delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
Other cases involving teens arrested on alleged offenses included:
• Monday, a 17-year-old male was seen with a handgun in the area of Parkway Academy Central.
• April 30, an 18-year-old male was found with a loaded handgun during a traffic stop in the area of Lincoln Street and Forrest Avenue.
• April 27, a 17-year-old was charged in a shooting on North Halsey Road.
• April 26, 18- and 19-year-old males were found with three handguns in an incident in the 800 block of East Loockerman Street.
