Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Kirkwood Highway

(Wilmington, Del.-19808) On Wednesday (3/29), at approximately 12:50 a.m., a New Castle County Police Officer was traveling westbound on Kirkwood Highway when they were struck head-on by a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta.

Investigators from the Division of Police, Traffic Services Unit, responded to the scene to assume the investigation. A witness reported observing the Jetta travel eastbound on Kirkwood Highway and approach the intersection of Limestone Road.  The operator of the Jetta later identified as Herbert Arreola, a 25-year-old Pennsylvania man, swerved in an attempt to avoid striking a vehicle, continued traveling on Kirkwood Highway where he struck the center median.  After striking the center median, the vehicle then went airborne crossing into the westbound lanes of Kirkwood Highway striking the fully marked 2021 Ford Explorer.

Arreola was transported to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The officer was also transported to the hospital and later treated and released for minor injuries.

Kirkwood Highway at Limestone Road was closed during the investigation.  It has since reopened.

The New Castle County Division of Police Traffic Services Unit continues to investigate. Any individual with information related to this incident is asked to please contact Sergeant Wesley Neeman at 302-395-8142 or by e-mail at wesley.neeman@newcastlde.gov or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.

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UPDATE- NEW CASTLE MAN WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

The New Castle County Division of Police, Criminal Investigations Unit, has charged Victor Alamo, Jr., a 35-year-old male, with attempted murder and firearm related charges after he discharged a firearm at a victim yesterday morning.

(Wilmington, Del.-19804) On Thursday (3/16) at approximately 7:18 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Valley Road for the report of a shots fired complaint.  Officers located the scene and after contacting the 37-year-old victim, learned he was sitting in his vehicle when a male suspect approached him armed with a firearm. The suspect discharged multiple gunshots into the vehicle prior to fleeing from the scene in a light- colored sedan.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation and identified Alamo as a suspect.  An arrest warrant was issued and all attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. 

Today (3/17), at approximately 10:00 a.m., Alamo turned himself into police at the Cpl. Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building where he was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $1,060,000 cash bail.

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Teens charged with Theft of Stolen Vehicle

(Newark, Del.-19711) On Thursday (3/16) at approximately 4:30 a.m., New Castle County Police were called to the unit block of Boyds Valley Drive in the community of Meeting House Hill for the report of a theft of a motor vehicle.

The victim reported he exited his home and noticed his tan 2020 Subaru Accent was missing.  He immediately began to track the car using Starlink and provided the police of the car’s location in real time. 

Multiple units responded to the area of Pennsylvania Avenue and Lincoln Avenue in New Castle after learning the vehicle had stopped.  Through the assistance of the Delaware State Police Aviation Section, officers learned the operator of the stolen vehicle had fled into the rear yard in the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue and was attempting to hide under a deck. Officers on the ground located the subject and took him into custody.

The two female occupants also fled from the stolen car and attempted to hide in the shed in the 100 block of Washington Avenue.  They too were taken into custody.

The 16-year-old male was charged with: theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy in the second degree, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief under $1000. He was arraigned and released on a $1000 unsecured bail.

The 15-year-old female and the 17-year-old female were charged with theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy in the second degree and resisting arrest.  Both teens were arraigned.  The 15-year-old was released on $1000 unsecured bail, while the 17-year-old female was committed to the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of $1000 secured bail.

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