(Townsend, Del. 19734) – On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the area of Route 13 near Anchor Inn Road in Townsend for the report of a medical emergency.
Upon arrival, responding Officers located a vehicle several hundred yards into a wooded area. After contacting the occupants, Officers observed that one of them had sustained a serious injury. Officers immediately rendered lifesaving aid by applying a tourniquet while requesting emergency medical services to respond to the scene.
Due to the vehicle’s remote location within the wooded area, Officers drove the victim’s vehicle to Route 13 to expedite access to emergency medical personnel. Upon reaching the roadway, Officers and arriving EMS personnel continued providing medical treatment before the victim was transported to an area hospital for further care.
While Officers continued providing medical assistance to the victim, the other individual present at the scene, later identified as 47-year-old John Ballach of Wilmington, left the area in his vehicle before officers were able to determine his involvement in the incident.
A short time later, Officers were notified that John Ballach had crashed his vehicle on Route 1 near Bayview Road and fled the scene. Officers from multiple responding agencies conducted an extensive search of the wooded areas along Route 1, Route 13, and nearby roadways to locate Ballach, determine his involvement in the incident, and ensure he had not sustained any injuries.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit responded and assumed the investigation.
As the investigation continued, Detectives determined that Ballach had been communicating with the victim over a period of time and had engaged in conduct that contributed to the victim’s injuries. Detectives further determined that Ballach had threatened and harassed the victim, causing significant emotional distress. Detectives also determined that Ballach met with the victim in Townsend and provided items connected to the incident.
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at Ballach’s residence on Harlan Boulevard in Wilmington. Ballach was located inside the residence after attempting to conceal himself from Officers. He was taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:
- One felony count of deadly weapon during the commission of a felony
- One felony count of promoting suicide
- One felony count of disregarding a police officer signal
- Four misdemeanor counts of harassment
- Two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threatening
- One misdemeanor count of resisting arrest
- One misdemeanor count of criminal mischief
- One misdemeanor count of reckless driving
- One violation of passing a vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction
John Ballach was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $70,000 cash bail.
Following the incident, Colonel James Leonard III, Chief of the New Castle County Division of Police, praised the responding officers for their swift actions.
“Our officers immediately recognized that the victim’s remote location could delay emergency medical care and acted quickly to bring the victim to EMS while providing lifesaving aid along the way,” said Colonel Leonard. “While we are proud of the actions our officers took that day, we also want people to know that no one has to face a mental health crisis alone. We encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for help.”
The New Castle County Division of Police urges anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, or anyone concerned about the well-being of a loved one, to seek help. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit https://988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Delaware residents can also contact the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-946-7333 (1-833-9-HOPEDE) for free, confidential support and connections to local behavioral health resources available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
John Ballach – 47