(Bear, Del.-19701) The New Castle County Division of Police, Traffic Services Unit, have charged Michael Dutton, a 42-year-old Newark man, with vehicular assault in the second degree and other traffic related offenses after he struck an 8-year-old child and fled the scene.

On Thursday (3/2) at approximately 6:50 p.m., police were dispatched to a hit and run collision with injuries to an 8-year-old male child in the area of Cardiff Way and Hazeltine Lane in St. Andrews Addition Townhouses.  The child was initially transported to the Christiana Hospital and then later transferred to Nemours Children’s Hospital.  He has since been discharged.

The preliminary investigation revealed the striking vehicle was a black sports style sedan.  As the investigation continued, detectives identified the striking vehicle as a black 2014 Infiniti Q60. 

Detectives located and recovered the vehicle and learned Dutton was the operator of the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Michael Dutton has been charged with the following:

• Vehicular assault in the second degree
• Hindering prosecution
• Operation of a vehicle causing serious physical injury to a vulnerable user
• Leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury
• Driving while suspended or revoked
• Failure to report a collision resulting in injury or death
• Removal of a vehicle from the scene of a collision

He was arraigned and committed to the Howard R.  Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $3000 secured bail. 

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(Wilmington, Del.-19803) On Tuesday (3/7) at approximately 6:00 p.m., police responded to the unit block of Gristmill Court in the community of Gristmill Woods for the report a theft of packages.

Officers contacted the victim who reported he had three packages delivered to his home at approximately 1:00 p.m.  He then observed through his Ring camera,  an unknown white male subject wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a medical face mask removed the packages at approximately 3:00 p.m. The subject fled the area in a dark colored sedan.

If you can identify this subject in the video or have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Officer Jay Scerbo at (302)395-8171 or Jay.Scerbo@Newcastlede.gov or call the New Castle County Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.

Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or visit us on Facebook (IM) at New Castle County Division of Police.

(Wilmington, Del.-19804) Investigators from the New Castle County Division of Police, Criminal Investigations Unit, have identified the man shot by police during a drug investigation on Monday, March 6^th as Andrew Edelmann, a 22-year old male from New Castle, Del.

Officers had specific information that Edelmann was going to be delivering a quantity of illegal drugs in the area of Maryland Avenue and East Reamer Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. yesterday evening.  Additionally, officers were aware of the vehicle he would be operating and knew he was at a local business to deliver drugs.  Officers located Edelmann inside his vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, in the parking lot of the 7-11 convenience store on Maryland Avenue and attempted to stop and detain him pursuant to the active drug investigation.  Officers attempted to apprehend Edelmann, however, he ignored their commands.  As Edelmann attempted to evade apprehension, he accelerated his vehicle and drove in the direction of officers.  An officer in close proximity to the Santa Fe, discharged their weapon striking both Edelmann and a 21-year-old female passenger.  Edelmann and the female passenger were both transported to Christiana Hospital where Edelmann was pronounced deceased.  The 21-year-old female passenger remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers recovered illegal drugs from inside of the vehicle and a loaded assault style rifle from the driver’s side floorboard.

This incident is being investigated by the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit, the Division’s Professional Standards  Unit, and the Delaware Department of Justice, Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.  The involved officer, a 10-year veteran of the Division, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

The investigations are still in the preliminary stages and remains active and ongoing.  Any individual with information or video related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Justin Breslin of the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 395-8110 or by email at Justin.Breslin@newcastlede.gov.  Information can also be submitted by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800.  

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