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MORNING STAR • SEPT. 27 - OCT. 3, 2007
Police Agents arrest hunter
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, Sussex County Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents arrested a Delmar man on Mineral Springs Rd. near Georgetown for alleged hunting violations. Agents responding to a citizen complaint observed the man crossing a field on an ATV carrying a freshly taken deer. Alfred M. Griner Jr., age 46, of 36675 Columbia Rd., Delmar, Del., was arrested and charged with hunting deer during a closed season, failure to tag, and possession of illegally taken deer. A 1996 Yamaha ATV, a Rhino crossbow, a Remington 20 gauge shogun, and assorted hunting gear were seized for evidence and possible forfeiture. Griner was taken to Justice of the Peace Court 3, and the case was transferred to Superior Court in Georgetown for trial at a later date. For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 542-6102 or 739-9913.
Bus crash under investigation
Delaware State Police are investigating an afternoon crash involving a school bus on Sept. 21. Troopers responded to US 113 northbound and Woodbranch Rd. to investigate a crash that occurred after a 2002 Honda Odyssey was struck by a school bus. Investigators learned the intersection is under construction and a State Trooper was manually directing traffic in an effort to assist with the traffic flow. A 2000 International School Bus, operated by Lisa Toomey, 40 of Georgetown was traveling northbound in the right lane of US 113 approaching Woodbranch Rd. The bus was transporting 38 children, ages 9 and 10, from the Indian River School of the Arts. A 2002 Honda Odyssey, operated by Steven Schwartz, 59 of Seaford was westbound on Woodbranch Rd. approaching US 113. The Odyssey was behind another school bus that was waiting to cross US 113 northbound. The trooper directing traffic allowed the school bus on Woodbranch Rd. to cross the roadway. At this time, the Honda Odyssey failed to stop at the stop sign and followed the bus in front of it into the intersection ignoring the troopers command to stop. As a result, the 2000 International school bus struck the Odyssey in the driver’s side. After impact the school bus turned left, crossed the center median, and struck a 2003 Lincoln LS, operated by Betty Munoz, 47 of Fredericksburg, Va. that was southbound on US 113 in the left lane. Munoz, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured. The operator of the Odyssey and his son, who was the sole passenger, were injured in the crash and transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury for non-life threatening injuries. They were wearing seatbelts. The operator of the school bus and children were not injured. Schwartz was cited for failing to remain stopped at a stop sign.
Two indicted for fraud
On Sept. 17, Delaware State Police financial crime detectives arrested a Cape Coral, Fla. couple after a year long investigation into their now defunct Lewes based construction company (B K Builders) led to a Department of Justice Grand Jury indictment on home improvement and con-
spiracy charges. The couple allegedly received money from victims who contracted the company for home improvement jobs in Sussex County. In many of the cases, the company failed to complete the work as promised and kept the victim’s money. The alleged crimes occurred from Oct. 2003 thru April 2006. On Sept. 10, a Grand Jury indicted William J. Kandravi, 35, and his wife, Shannon M. Kandravi, 30, of the 5300 block of S.W. 11th Place, Cape Coral, Fla., on Home Improvement and Conspiracy charges. On Sept. 17, William and Shannon Kandravi surrendered to state police detectives at Troop 4 and were arrested on the charges in the indictment. William and Shannon Kandravi each pled guilty to one count of Felony Home Improvement Fraud and received a two year jail sentence, which was suspended after they paid $37,000 toward restitution for the victims. William and Shannon Kandravi were also placed on level 2 probation for the remainder of their sentence.
Police seek help locating escapee
Delaware State Police are seeking assistance with locating a Greenwood man wanted for theft, criminal impersonation, escaping from custody and drug charges. Troopers issued the arrest warrant for Ryan T. Manning, 23, after he escaped from custody in possession of a trooper’s departmental issued handcuffs in July 2007. Manning was last seen running toward the Bridgeville Food Lion. He is described as a white male, 5’10”, 160 lbs, brown hair and hazel eyes. Manning has a scar on his forehead and a tattoo on his chest. His last known address was the 8300 block of Hickman Rd., Greenwood. Manning may be in the Seaford, Bridgeville, Greenwood or Harrington areas. State Police urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Manning to call Troop 5 at 337-1090 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or call 911.
Anti-graffiti campaign begins
A state-wide anti-graffiti campaign to stop graffiti is underway. Two weeks ago, Delaware State Police responded to William Penn High School in regards to extensive amounts of graffiti on the school’s exterior. Seven juveniles ranging in age from 14-17 have been identified and arrested in connection to this crime. The suspects are from various schools throughout New Castle County. Several thousand posters produced by Crime Stoppers will be disseminated to locations throughout the state including schools and businesses. Anyone who wishes to partner with officials by hanging a poster can contact Cpl/3 Wes Barnett in Sussex County at 302-542-5150. Graffiti will not be tolerated and those responsible for this crime can expect to be charged and prosecuted.
K-9 apprehends escapees
The Delaware State Police have apprehended two prisoners after they reportedly escaped from the Violation of Probation Center in Georgetown on Sept. 21. Officials at the Sussex Correctional Institute notified state police at 10:33 a.m. that they were missing two subjects from the viola-
tion center that had been working on a nearby farm. A perimeter surrounding the farm near the VOP center was set up by officers from the Department of Corrections, Delaware State Police, Georgetown Police Department and Probation and Parole. The Delaware State Police helicopter was also summoned and assisted with the search. A resident of Woodbranch Rd. observed the suspects on Woodbranch Rd. near the Sussex Pines Country Club running on foot east into the woods shortly after the reported escape. The witness then observed the subjects enter a chicken house being used for storage on Cedar Ln. At this time, both suspects reportedly stole a .44 caliber revolver handgun and clothing that was being stored on the premises. They then entered a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis that was also being stored on the property and fled the area in the vehicle. Troopers were able to locate the stolen Mercury abandoned on Truck Rt. 9 north of Springfield Rd. after a tire blowout. Troopers then observed the subjects fleeing into a nearby wooded area. A Delaware State Police K-9 unit immediately began tracking the location where the suspects were seen running. Approximately 1/2 mile into the wooded area the K-9 located the subjects hiding in the woods. The suspects were taken into custody without further incident at 2 p.m. An area search by investigators located the stolen
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gun in a nearby field. As a result of the incident, the State Police will be charging William E. Grzybowski, 21 of New Castle and William C. Tipton, 25 of Lincoln with the following offenses - third degree burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, theft, 2 counts of criminal mischief, possession of a weapon by person prohibited, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony, and escape after conviction. Both subjects were remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute.
Police announce open house
The Delaware State Police will host their annual open house for students ages 14-20 interested in the State Police Explorers Program. The open house will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at Sussex Central High School. The Explorers program is for young men and women with an interest in a career in law enforcement. Explorers will learn a variety of police procedures including crime prevention and participate in community events, which include fingerprinting children. Parents are encouraged to attend this open house with their child. During the event, advisors will explain the schedule for the coming year, discuss expectations and requirements of participants and explain the program’s post codes and bylaws. For more information, contact Senior Corporal Richard Bratz or Corporal One Cheryl Arnold at 856-5850, ext. 257.