December armed robberies remain under investigation

DOVER — Detectives continue to investigate two armed robberies of the Valero gas station located at 1612 S. DuPont Highway in early December 2015.

Detectives are seeking a suspect or suspects in Dec. 1 and Dec. 4, 2015, armed robberies at the Valero gas station at 1612 S. DuPont Highway in Dover. (Submitted photo/Delaware State Police)

Delaware State Police said the first incident occurred around 6:04 a.m. Dec. 1 when a male suspect armed with a knife entered the store and approached the 31-year-old female employee in a threatening manner. The clerk was able to move away from the suspect as he grabbed numerous rolls of scratch-off lottery tickets, as well as multiple packs of cigars, police said.

The suspect then fled the business and ran west toward Rodney Village. The employee was not injured, police said.

The suspect was described by police as a 6-foot to 6-foot-2 tall black man weighing 165 to 185 pounds, wearing a gray and black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans. He was carrying a black and tan camouflage backpack and armed with an unknown type of knife.

The second incident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. Dec. 4 when a male suspect armed with a knife confronted a 61-year-old female employee in the parking lot after she had closed and locked the doors to the store.

The suspect forced the female to re-open the door and demanded cash and cigarettes, police said.

The victim complied and turned over cash and cigarettes before the suspect fled the business in an unknown directions.

The employee was not injured.

The suspect was described as a 20- to 29-year-old black male, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds, and wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and gloves. He was armed with an unknown type of knife.

Police asked anyone with information regarding either of the incidents to contact Detective J. DiGiacomo at 698-8444.

Information also may be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Homeless man charged in robberies at Goodwill and restaurant

MILFORD — Authorities said a 21-year-old homeless man was charged in connection with alleged Friday night burglaries at a Goodwill Store and Mama Maria’s restaurant in the Milford Shopping Plaza.

Steven Moran

Steven Moran was taken into custody after a K-9 tracked him to a foot bridge area on Truitt Avenue, Milford Police said.

Police said a person was seen inside the Goodwill Store and fled from the business.

Charges included third-degree burglary (two counts), possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief over $1,000 but under $5,000, and criminal mischief under $1,000.

Mr. Moran was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown in lieu of $20,000 secured bond.

Investigation began at 11:19 p.m. when police said burglar alarm activation calls were received.

Police said that shotgun ammunition and a hatchet were also located when Mr. Moran was arrested.

Charges filed after alleged assault

MILFORD — A 39-year-old Milford man was arrested after investigation into an alleged domestic assault at a residence in the 2900 block of Heather Drive on Jan. 14, police said.

Duane L. Miller

Police said Duane L. Miller was charged with strangulation, malicious interference with emergency communications, offensive touching, and criminal mischief after an alleged verbal dispute with a 41-year-old woman.

Milford Police Department said investigation found the woman was grabbed around the throat in an apparent strangulation attempt. The female initially broke free and attempted to close a bedroom door which was then kicked in, police said.

As the woman attempted to contact police, authorities said, a phone was taken and thrown outside. Mr. Miller allegedly fled, authorities said, and later went to the Milford Police where he was charged. The woman was taken to Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released for a minor neck injury, police said.

Mr. Miller was arraigned and released on $3,500 unsecured bond, authorities said.

New Castle man charged in 2013 burglary

Christopher R. Staats

MILFORD — A 47-year-old New Castle man was charged in connection with an alleged jewelry theft in July 2013, Milford Police Department said.

According to authorities, Christopher R. Staats was arrested on Jan. 10 and charged with felony theft under $1,500 with victim 62 or older and theft under false pretense under $1,500.

Police said investigation allegedly found jewelry was stolen and then sold to a local pawn shop.

Mr. Staats was arraigned and released on $1,000 unsecured bond.

Registered sex offender charged with violations

Paul E. Herman

MILFORD — On Jan. 9, a 33-year-old registered sex offender was charged with two violations after police said they received reports of him living in the 1000 block of North Walnut Street.

According to the Milford Police Department, Paul E. Herman was charged with failure to re-register as a sex offender and sex offender residing within 500 feet of property of any school. He was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution near Georgetown on $9,000 cash bond.

DSP arrests Maryland man for failing to register

GEORGETOWN — The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit arrested a 48-year-old Federalsburg, Maryland, man last Wednesday after he failed to verify his employment status as required by law, authorities said.

Charles N. Drenth

DSP SOAR detectives went to the Georgetown Airport at 21553 Rudder Lane and apprehended Charles N. Drenth without incident, authorities said. Drenth, a Moderate Risk Tier 2 sex offender, was ordered to register as a sex offender after a court conviction in the Kent County Superior Court in 2002, police said.

Drenth complied and registered as a sex offender as ordered. However, he then moved to Maryland and subsequently failed to verify his employment status in the state of Delaware as required by law, authorities said.

Detectives arrested Drenth and charged him with failure to register, re-register or provide verification as a sex offender and failure to re-register as a sex offender within three days after an address or place of employment change. He was arraigned and released on $4,000 unsecured bail.