Car thefts and car-related crimes has become a large issue in cities nationwide. (Photo by dardespot/Getty Images)

Wilmington council: Make parents pay for child’s car crimes 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Wilmington City Council is considering making parents pay for damages caused by their minor children who break into or damage cars. Carjacking and thefts of personal belongings in cars has been a major problem in cities across the country, and Wilmington is no exception. Some of this was sparked by a TikTok dare in which people – typically teenagers …

Faith Friends Jane

Hit-and-run hospitalizes Faithful Friends founder, kills dog

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

The founder of Faithful Friends Animal Society is recovering from a hit-and-run accident that hospitalized her and killed her dog, Emma, which she was walking at the time of the accident. The incident occurred when Jane Pierantozzi was walking her dog Dec. 10 on South Clayton Street in Wilmington near the intersection of South Clayton and Maple Streets in Wilmington. …

gavel rapist

Brandywine Park rapist Bryron Mayhan convicted on 22 charges

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A New Castle man convicted of 10 counts of rape, among 22 charges, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five life sentences, plus 175 years at sentencing in early 2024. Byron Mayhan, 39, described by the Department of Justice as a habitual offender, was convicted Nov. 13 for his May 29, 2020, attack on a woman running in Brandywine Park. …

gang prosecution MSG

4-year gang prosecution ends with 100% conviction rate

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Twenty people have been convicted on charges of murder, shooting and other felonies following a four-year prosecution of a Wilmington gang that resulted in a 100% conviction rate. The push helped reduce the number of shootings in Delaware 30% since 2020, according to a statement from the Delaware Department of Justice. In essence, the press release said, the Wilmington Police …

The anniversary of the Community Outreach Walks Thursday at 1 p.m. in Wilmington.

Police, community groups celebrate 1 year of walks Thursday

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

Wilmington Police, social service and public health partners will celebrate their first year of community outreach walks Thursday at 1 p.m. at 7th and Washington Streets. This initiative had the goal of addressing unmet social service and public health needs in Wilmington neighborhoods.  Every Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., police officers are joined by a number of social service, …

Wilmington Police Department is hoping to crack down on car thefts with lock giveaway.

Wilmington police to hand out wheel locks for Kias, Hyundais

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

Owners of  Hyundai and Kia vehicles will have yet another opportunity to obtain a free steering wheel lock to prevent car theft.  As the trend of Hyundai and Kia models being stolen continues, the Wilmington Police Department will give away the locks Saturday, July 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of ShopRite, 501 South Walnut …

Samuel Waters could face up to eight years in prison for excessive force on duty, among other charges.

Former Wilm. cop Waters could face 8 years for felony charge

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

Samuel Waters, a former Wilmington police officer, could face up to eight years in prison after being convicted of four crimes, including a felony, for using excessive force during an incident that took place in September 2021.  Supervisors from the Wilmington Police Department, along with investigators, informed the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust that Waters had failed to …

Barry

Meet Barry, Wilmington Police’s new trauma and wellness dog

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The city of Wilmington have added a trauma and wellness dog to its Police Department. The 18-month-old English labrador retriever named Barry began work this month. He will be the four-legged extension of the department’s Critical Incident Stress Management/Peer Support Team, designed to help officers and civilian employees  cope with the effects of critical incidents and promote overall health and …

MacColl former Wilmington Police corporal

Former Wilm. police corporal convicted of misconduct, lying

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A former Wilmington police officer has been convicted of misconduct and making false statements to law enforcement. James MacColl, who was a corporal, was charged in March 2021 after a shooting on Feb. 2, 2019, according to a press release from the Delaware Department of Justice. MacColl responded to a 911 call of an armed carjacking, where he shot Yahim …

Wilmington crime

Wilmington police chief selected to lead St. Louis PD

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki hasn’t yet said how the city plans to replace police Chief Robert Tracy, who on Tuesday was selected to lead the St. Louis, Missouri Police Department. Tracy’s selection as the Gateway City’s top cop was announced by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones Tuesday morning. It’s the first time in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s 214-year …