DNREC Environmental Crimes Unit arrests two men for illegal burning in Felton area

DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit Natural Resources Police officers investigated this fire on Sandtown Road on April 4. DNREC ECU photo.

FELTON – Natural Resources Police Officers with DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit arrested two Kent County men April 4 on multiple illegal burning charges related to a fire in the Felton area. DNREC ECU officers responded at the request of the Felton Fire Company to investigate a large fire at a property on Sandtown Road, with fire companies from Harrington, Greensboro, Md., and Goldsboro, Md., also responding to assist.

Muhammad Iran, 29, and Muhammad Asim, 33, both of Felton, were each cited at the scene for one count of each of causing or allowing the illegal open burning of refuse; illegal open burning in the conduct of a salvage operation; failure to give prior notice to the local fire call board for open burning; and unauthorized burning. Each charge carries a minimum fine of $100 each.

DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit also reminds residents that the state’s open burning ban is in effect May 1-Sept. 30. Residents can find more information on open burning on the DNREC Air Resources Web Page at https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/open-burning/.

Delawareans are encouraged to report open burning violations to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 87


Newark man arrested by DNREC Environmental Crimes Unit for illegally dumping tires in New Castle County

Evidence photo of tires dumped in the Newark area. DNREC Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit photo.

NEWARK – Following an investigation into illegal dumping of scrap tires in Newark, DNREC Natural Resources Police Officers with the Environmental Crimes Unit arrested a Newark man Dec. 14 for illegal dumping and hauling solid waste without a permit. The illegal dumping of tires took place over several days earlier this month.

Robert B. Halter, 39, of Newark, was charged with two counts of causing or contributing to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials and two counts of transportation, storage, or collection of solid waste without a permit.

Halter had active capias out of Justice of the Peace Court 11, New Castle County Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle, where he was committed to Howard Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, after failing to pay $2,000 cash bond related to the prior capias. He received an additional $200 unsecured bond for the four charges of dumping and hauling scrap tires without a permit.

Delaware residents can report illegal trash dumping to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 340


DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest two men for firearm possession by a person prohibited

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two Kent County men for possession of a firearm by a person prohibited in separate incidents over the past week.

Robert Lowman, 58, of Cheswold, was arrested on Oct. 5 for one count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited at the Blackiston Wildlife Area. Lowman was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he was released on a $10,100 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.

Joseph Reyes, 31, of Smyrna, was arrested on Oct. 8 for one count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited off Route 9 south of Lighthouse Road near Smyrna. Reyes was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 277