Delaware Natural Resources Police State Parks officers arrested Eric Allan Davidson II and Jacob Tyler Flannery, both of Felton, on burglary and vandalism-related charges following an incident at Killens Pond State Park water park on Sunday, Aug. 21.

During the early morning hours, Flannery, 23, and Davidson, 21, trespassed into the water park and then accessed park facilities to burglarize the Killens Pond State Park lifeguard office and locker room, and the park’s concession stand/swim shop. They also caused damage at the park by throwing food, drinks and other items while in the swim shop and then into the main swimming pool at the water park complex.

The two men also stole bathing suits for swimming in the pool and sliding down the Killens Pond waterslide. Investigation by Delaware Natural Resources Police also determined that a 50-lb. bag of sugar had been taken from the concession stand and dumped into the pool. Damages to the facility and swimming pool caused the water park to remain closed Sunday until 2 p.m. Killens Pond State Park was forced to refund prepaid waterpark reservations for the morning and early afternoon session.

Both men were charged with the following: two counts of Burglary 3rd Degree (Class F Felony), Theft Under $1500 (Class A Misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief (Class A Misdemeanor), Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree (Misdemeanor) Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree (Violation) and Possession of Alcohol in a Prohibited Area (Violation). In addition, Davidson was also charged with Graffiti (Class A Misdemeanor) and Flannery was charged with Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Class G Felony).

Davidson and Flannery turned themselves into Felton Police Department following their investigation into a burglary of Lake Forest North High School that also occurred early Monday morning. Both were video-arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and were issued a no-contact order by the court for all Delaware State Parks and with each other. Both were released on their own recognizance pending a later court date.

Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a jury trial at which the State bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Capt. John McDerby, john.mcderby@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

###

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police today announced their active participation in Operation Dry Water, an annual nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign aimed at preventing alcohol and drug-related boating accidents and fatalities.

Over the July 5-7 weekend, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers will increase their presence on Delaware’s waterways to educate boaters on the danger and risk of operating a vessel under the influence. Enforcement efforts against operating under the influence (OUI) also will be intensified during the Operation Dry Water campaign. Boat operators found with blood alcohol levels at or exceeding the state and federal limit of 0.08 percent will be arrested and may have their vessel impounded, as well as face fines and potential jail time for OUI.

According to national statistics released by the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is a leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents. To avoid putting themselves, their passengers, and other boaters at risk, boat operators are urged to stay sober and follow safe boating practices, or to plan ahead by having a non-drinking, qualified designated boat operator on board if alcohol is consumed.

During Operation Dry Water in 2018, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers made 3,056 contacts with boat operators and passengers and conducted 573 boardings while performing standard vessel safety equipment checks and encouraging safe boating practices. Forty-six citations were issued, helping to raise awareness of and reduce unsafe boating practices, with one of the citations issued for OUI.

Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationwide by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), in partnership with state marine enforcement agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information on Operation Dry Water visit: http://www.operationdrywater.org/.

For more information, visit Delaware Boating Safety or contact Delaware Boating Safety & Education Coordinator Sgt. Brooke Mitchell at 302-739-9915 or email brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov.

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, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-382-7167, or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 180

Evidence seized in the Dec. 11 arrest of two Sussex County men for weapons and poaching violations. DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police photo.

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two Sussex County men last night for multiple weapons and poaching violations while investigating a report of individuals trespassing to hunt near Millsboro.

Brendon Dibble, 20, of Millsboro, was charged with one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, unlicensed hunting, trespassing to hunt, and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season. Dibble was arraigned through Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $2,200 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

William Novello, 49, of Millsboro, was charged with 15 counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, two counts of unlicensed hunting, and one count each of trespassing to hunt, failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season, and unlicensed trapping. Novello was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 3, where he was released on a $30,500 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.

As a result of the arrests and search of their residences, a crossbow, four compound bows,14 firearms, numerous knives, and ammunition were seized.

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, 302-739-9086 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 333

(Left-to-right) Parks Enforcement Officer Trevor Ditmore; K9 Officer Leo; DNREC Secretary Shawn. M. Garvin; Parks Chief of Enforcement Wayne Kline; Parks Enforcement Officer John Lister; K9 Officer Vos, Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens.

DOVER – DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin welcomed the Division of Parks & Recreation’s two new additions to their ranks, K-9s Vos and Leo. The K9 officers are officially on the job today, after graduating yesterday from the Delaware State Police Canine Program.

In August, Officers Trevor Ditmore and John Lister, of DNREC’s Natural Resources Police State Park’s Enforcement section, traveled to Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana, selected the two dogs, and brought them back to Delaware. The kennel, a full service canine teaching facility, has trained police and military dogs for more than 5,000 enforcement and government agencies. The dogs received further training for 12 weeks at the Delaware State Police Academy, which also provided time to bond with their partners.

“We are pleased to welcome K-9 officers Vos and Leo,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The addition of canine teams to Delaware’s state parks adds an additional layer of safety for park guests. Their presence will deter crime and at the same time engage the community. The teams will be available for outreach through demonstrations and programming to the community as a whole, and also to specific state park events and summer camps.”

Officer Ditmore will be stationed at Lums Pond State Park, and primarily serve northern state parks. He will be paired with Leo, a two-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd. Corporal Lister will be stationed with Vos, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois, at Cape Henlopen State Park, and mainly serve the southern Delaware state parks.

K-9 officers Vos and Leo are now fully trained for, among other jobs, scent tracking and patrol. The two will be able to fulfill multiple tracking missions to recover lost hikers, missing children and the elderly, and suspect apprehension. In addition to these duties, each canine team will specialize in either narcotic or explosive detection.

So far, more than $6,000 has been raised for the state parks K9 program by the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, the Blue Heron Agility Association of Delaware, and through private donations. The public can support the program with tax-deductible donations through the Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899. The memo line should include Delaware State Parks K9 Fund. The public can also contribute to the Go Fund Me crowd-funding program at www.gofundme.com/support-new-de-state-park-k9039s.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 331

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested three Kent County men in the Farmington area Thursday night as the result of an enforcement operation to deter nighttime hunting activities.

Jeremy V. Fennell, 19, of Felton, was charged with one count each of conspiracy 3rd degree; hunting deer during a closed season; hunting at nighttime; possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle; unlicensed hunting; failure to complete an approved hunters safety course of instruction; failure to tag antlerless deer; failure to retain tag on antlerless deer; failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours; unlawfully removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking; trespassing to hunt; possession or transport of an unlawfully taken antlerless deer; hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells; hunting from a motor vehicle; and underage possession/consumption of alcohol. Fennell was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he was released on a $2,650 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

Benjamin E. Clay, 19, of Felton was charged with one count each of conspiracy 3rd degree; hunting deer during a closed season; hunting at nighttime; possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle; shooting within 15 yards of a public roadway; hunting rabbits out of season; trespassing to hunt; hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells; hunting from a motor vehicle; and underage possession/consumption of alcohol. Clay was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover where he was released on a $2,400 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

John K. Burch, 18, of Harrington was charged with one count each of conspiracy 3rd degree; hunting deer during a closed season; hunting at nighttime; possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle; hunting without a license; shooting within 15 yards of a public roadway; failure to complete an approved hunters safety course of instruction; failure to tag antlerless deer; discharging a firearm within 100 yards of an occupied structure; trespassing to hunt; possession or transport of an unlawfully-taken antlerless deer; hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells; hunting from a motor vehicle; and underage possession/consumption of alcohol. Burch was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where he was released on a $3,100 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

As a result of the arrests, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource police seized a Chevrolet pickup truck, a shotgun, and numerous other hunting-related instruments. One antlerless deer was also seized and donated to DNREC’s Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

• 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 Africa, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9086 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 318

-END-