(Newark, DE 19713) DECEMBER 9, 2023 9 a.m. to 12 p.m..
This year, we will be at 721 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark – The Journey. We are now collecting new and gently used coats for all ages at the following locations; Hockessin Pal, Route 9 Library, Paul J Sweeney Public Safety Building, Claymont Community Center, Bear Library, and the New Castle County Government Center.
For more information, please call the Community Services Unit at (302)395-8050.
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(New Castle, DE 19720) Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 42-year-old Randy Purnell of New Castle and 35-year-old Aaron Douglas of Laurel in reference to the kidnapping/vehicle theft that occurred on November 29, 2023. Through investigative measures, detectives were able to identify the original suspect vehicle as a black Nissan Kicks. That vehicle was located by officers of the Philadelphia Police Department on November 29, 2023. The suspect vehicle was occupied by Aaron Douglas and Randy Purnell. The suspects were taken into custody in reference to unrelated arrest warrants and transported to a local precinct. Detectives from New Castle County were on scene in Philadelphia and responded to the precinct. Investigators later located the stolen Nissan Altima in Kensington.
Following the investigation, New Castle County Detectives authored arrest warrants for both suspects. They were charged with one felony count of kidnapping in the second degree, one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle, one felony count of conspiracy in the first degree, and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. Both suspects are currently being held in Pennsylvania pending extradition back to Delaware. This investigation is still active and anyone with information is asked to please contact Detective Gino Cevallos at 302-395-8129 or by email at Gino.Cevallos@newcastlede.gov
Purnell, Randy (42)
Douglas, Aaron (35)
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(Newark, DE 19713) On Friday, December 1, 2023, at 04:27 a.m., patrol officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the unit block of Stature Drive – Sherwood Forest in reference to a missing person. It was reported that a 75-year-old man with dementia went missing. Officers responded to the community and surrounding areas to begin searching. Officers also worked with New Castle County 911 and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit to organize the search. At 5:22 a.m., the DSP Aviation Unit located the male victim at an industrial lot near Fox Drive. Officers quickly responded to the area and located the victim who was stuck on a fence. Officers then assisted the victim, and he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
As a reminder, the New Castle County Community Services Unit partners with Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver helps provide rapid response to save lives and reduce the potential for serious injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome, Dementia, and other related disorders. Project Lifesaver is the premier search and rescue program operated internationally by public safety agencies and is strategically designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering.
For information on enrolling a loved one in the program, please call the New Castle County Community Services Unit at (302)395-8050.
Further information can be found at https://projectlifesaver.org/Lifesaver/ or https://www.newcastlede.gov/1795/Community-Programs
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