Dover teens arrested on firearm charges

By Craig Anderson

DOVER — Two teen males were arrested on firearm charges following a complaint Sunday, Dover police spokesman Master Cpl. Ryan Schmid said.

The Dover residents, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody at around 12:55 p.m., after officers responded to the Whatcoat Village Apartments for a report of several people loitering.

A brief foot pursuit took place when the officers arrived, after which the 15-year-old was found in possession of a Hi Point 9 mm handgun and 4.6 grams of cocaine, Cpl. Schmid said.

Officers also located a second Hi Point handgun, determined to be stolen, in the area where the 16-year-old was taken into custody. In addition, as he was being placed into a patrol car, the youth moved his head aggressively, attempting to hit an officer, police said.

The 15-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (two counts), carrying a concealed deadly weapon, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was committed to the Stevenson House Detention Center, Milford, on $26,200 cash bail.

The 16-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, receiving a stolen firearm, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest and menacing. He was committed to the Stevenson House on $15,100 cash bail.

Since Jan. 5, according to police reports, there have been at least 18 felony criminal cases involving teens from Kent and Sussex counties. Other incidents include:

• Saturday in Bridgeville — Two Bridgeville males, ages 18 and 16, were arrested on felony charges after a vehicle stop. The vehicle had been reported stolen by the Milford Police Department. A 71-year-old Seaford male was driving, and cocaine and a pair of nunchucks were located, police said.
• Thursday in Felton — A 16-year-old male was charged with motor vehicle theft counts and other offenses, while active warrants were on file for another juvenile.
• Wednesday in Camden — An 18-year-old male was taken into custody in connection with a shooting at George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park in Smyrna in June 2022. He was charged with first-degree reckless endangering and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Authorities said he was also wanted by the Dover Police Department.
• Tuesday in Felton — An 18-year-old Florida man was arrested after allegedly shooting into a home occupied by two adults and three children. The suspect was charged with firearm and ammunition offenses.
• Jan. 29 in Lewes — Two Maryland males, ages 18 and 17, were charged with second-degree burglary and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony for an incident at a residence.
• Jan. 19 in Wilmington — A 15-year-old Milford female and a 13-year-old Magnolia female were charged with motor vehicle theft and second-degree conspiracy after a vehicle was taken from a Wawa parking lot.
• Jan. 18 in Dover — A 17-year-old male from Dover and a 13-year-old male from Camden were arrested in connection to a drug investigation at a home. Police said the older youth was found with a Polymer80 9 mm handgun. Four adults were also arrested in this case.
• Jan. 16 in Dover — An 18-year-old Camden male was arrested following a shooting. He was charged with first-degree reckless endangering and other offenses.
• Jan. 16 in Dover — A 14-year-old Dover male was charged with 10 counts of first-degree reckless endangering following a shooting at a residence. At the time, police said another 14-year-old Dover boy was sought.
• Jan. 12 in Felton — A 19-year-old Seaford male was arrested on a felony drug charge and other offenses following a traffic stop. Police said crystal meth was located in the vehicle’s trunk.
• Jan. 12 in Dover — A shooting resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old Dover male nearly two weeks later. He was charged with second-degree assault, among other offenses, after a man was injured in the incident.
• Jan. 11 in Harbeson — Three males, ages 18 to 19, were arrested after police found a loaded Ruger handgun in a vehicle they occupied. Also located were ammunition, cocaine, heroin, prescription pills and brass knuckles. The males were from Seaford, Milton and Lincoln.
• Jan. 11 in Dover — An 18-year-old Dover male was arrested on firearms charges following a foot pursuit, during which he removed a loaded Glock 19 handgun from his waistband, police said. The suspect was charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (four counts) and other offenses.
• Jan. 9 in Dover — A robbery at an apartment complex led to the arrest of a 17-year-old male from Dover. Police said a handgun was displayed during the incident, and three suspects were involved.
• Jan. 8 in Magnolia — Four males from Felton and Dover, ages 12, 14, 15 and 16, were each charged with seven counts of first-degree reckless endangering following a shooting. Two were also charged with first-degree attempted murder.
• Jan. 7 in Felton — Following a brief vehicle pursuit, a juvenile was arrested after being found with a fully loaded handgun with an extended 30-round magazine in his waistband. An 18-year-old Dover male was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. On Jan. 8, another 18-year-old Dover male was charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with this case.
• Jan. 5 in Dover — Two Dover residents — a male and female, ages 18 and 16 — were arrested following a burglary at a liquor store in Dover.