UPDATE:
Both subjects have been located at served charging documents. Guest was served a criminal summons on 11/29. Benson turned himself in 11/30 and was held until a $5000 bond was posted.
INCIDENT: Theft / Assist other Police Agency
DATE/TIME: November 5th, 2012 – 1339 Hours (Reported)
LOCATION: 300 Old McGinnis Lane, Chestertown
VICTIMS: Infinity Recycling of Chestertown
American Legion of Smyrna DE.
Bennett & Cohey’s of Chestertown
SUSPECTS: Ivan Victor Benson (28) of Smyrna, DE
Destiny Ann Guest (31) of Smyrna, DE
CHARGES: BENSON – Theft (4 Counts), Theft Scheme (2 Counts) and Theft Conspiracy (2 Counts)
GUEST – Theft, Theft Scheme, Theft Conspiracy
Narrative: The Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Infinity Recycling about individuals scrapping 60-70 American Legion and VFW grave markers on 10/31 and 11/2. The business identified the sellers as Ivan Benson and Destiny Guest of Smyrna. The subjects were paid a total of 281.55 for the items. Detective Goodman of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit contacted the American Legion in Smyrna and learned that numerous graves in that area were missing similar markers. These thefts had been reported to Smyrna Police and Detective Eric Cooper had been assigned the case.
On 11/9 Detective Goodman learned that Benson had just been to Infinity attempting to sell additional markers and Infinity refused to purchase them. Infinity had also called Bennett & Cohey about the markers and was told that they had just made a purchase from Benson. Detective Goodman contacted Bennett & Cohey and learned that they had paid $98 for the markers and this had been the fifth time since September Benson and Guest had sold similar markers.
On 11/13 Deputy Nathaniel Burns had responded to Crumpton Boat Landing in reference to found property. On arrival he was able to recover 24 Veteran grave markers.
As a result, Detective Goodman submitted charging documents to a District Court Commissioner for Benson and Guest. A Criminal Summons has been issued for Destiny Guest for theft, theft scheme and theft conspiracy. She is described as a white female, 5’3” 118 pounds with blond hair and hazel eyes. Ivan Benson is wanted on an Arrest Warrant charging him with four counts of theft, two counts of Conspiracy to commit theft and two counts of Theft Scheme. Benson is an African American male 5’8” 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Both subjects have an address on 20 West South Street in Smyrna and are known to drive a pale green Ford Focus with Delaware plates.
Sheriff Gary Hofmann is urging anyone knowing the whereabouts on Ivan Benson to contact the Sheriff’s Office or Smyrna Police. “ This is one of the more disgusting property crimes I’m aware of. After the sacrifices veterans have made for our country, to steal a marker indicating their service for scrap metal is just disgraceful” said Sheriff Hofmann.
Tips on Benson can be called in to the QA Sheriff at (410) 758-0770 or Smyrna Police at (302) 653-9217
DEPUTY: Detective Eric Goodman
ASSIST: Detective Eric Cooper (Smyrna PD)
CASE: 12-3124
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INCIDENT: Burglary
DATE / TIME: 11/26/2012 @ 1544 Hours
LOCATION: 400 Block of Teal Court, Chester
VICTIM: Donald S. Saunders of Chester
NARRATIVE: Victim reported that as he returned home he saw his ex-girlfriend leaving the neighborhood. Upon reaching he residence he found that his coffee Maker valued at $80 was missing.
DEPUTY: Deputy Chris Neall
CASE: 12-33179
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INCIDENT: Theft
DATE / TIME: 11/27/2012 @ 1300 Hours
LOCATION: Church Hill Main Street
VICTIM: Town of Church Hill & Queenstown Bank
NARRATIVE: It was reported that two one way signs and metal poles were missing from the town office parking lot. It was also noted that the Queenstown Bank sign on one of the poles was also missing. The signs were valued at $180.
DEPUTY: Dfc. Seth Ambrose
CASE: 12-33243
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INCIDENT: Theft
DATE / TIME: 11/27/2012 @ 1105 Hours
LOCATION: 431A Outlet Center Drive, Queenstown
VICTIM: Sunglass Hut
NARRATIVE: Employee at the store reported two males came in the store. One subject was recognized as a suspect in a shoplifting incident from last week . He was asked to leave and not to return. After watching security video, while the one male was being asked to leave the other suspect was stealing several pairs of glasses including two pairs of Dolce and Gabbana glasses. The sunglasses were valued at $500. The description of the suspect is an African American male dressed in jeans and a red flannel shirt.
DEPUTY: Dfc. Seth Ambrose
CASE: 12-33251
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INCIDENT: Theft
DATE / TIME: 11/27/2012 @ 1341 Hours (Reported)
LOCATION: 2500 Block of Romancoke Road, Stevensville
VICTIM: Leroy F. Deigert of Grasonville
NARRATIVE: Victim reported he was hunting in the woods off of Romancoke Road and left around 1000 hours. When he returned to the blind at about 1500 hours, three folding chairs had been stolen and a Moulter feeder had been damaged. The chairs were valued at $245 and the Feeder at $60. Victim advised he is the only person with hunting rights on that property.
DEPUTY: Dfc. Seth Ambrose
CASE: 12-33262
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INCIDENT: Theft
DATE / TIME: 11/27/2012 @ 1555 Hours
LOCATION: 217 Outlet Center, Queenstown
VICTIM: Nine West
NARRATIVE: Store employee reported that a man and woman were in the store and as they were leaving she saw a pair of shoes/boots sticking out the bottom of the man’s coat. The employee located an empty box for knee high black boots valued at $60.
DEPUTY: Dfc. Robert Boyles
CASE: 12-33273
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INCIDENT: MDOP
DATE / TIME: 11/28/2012 @ 1229 Hours
LOCATION: Burchard Sawmill Road, Chestertown
VICTIM: Verizon
NARRATIVE: An employee of Verizon reported he had received an alarm of a malfunction at the tower site. On arrival he found the gate secured and that two mother boards had been damaged intentionally. It was also reported that several fuse connectors had also been damaged. Damages were estimated at $500.
DEPUTY: Dfc. George Sewell
CASE: 12-33352
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INCIDENT: Burglary
DATE / TIME: 11/28/2012 @ 1829 Hours
LOCATION: Prospect Bay Drive West, Grasonville
VICTIM: Michael C. Ross of Grasonville
NARRATIVE: Victim reported returning home from an out of town trip and found that someone had entered the home and had taken an estimated $8000 of woman’s jewelry and a security system DVR. Investigation showed that the outside lighting has been disconnected. A check of the neighborhood resulted in a possible suspect vehicle – a gray two door pickup with a silver tool box in the bed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (410) 758-0770.
DEPUTY: Deputy William Schepleng
CASE: 12-33420
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INCIDENT: Assault
DATE / TIME: 11/29/2012 @ 0014 Hours
LOCATION: 500 Block of Main Street, Church Hill
VICTIM: Lindsay A. Emmer of Church Hill
ARREST: Michael Domenic McMillan (31) of Church Hill
CHARGE: Assault 2nd Degree
NARRATIVE: Deputies responded to residence after a neighbor reported seeing her female neighbor being pushed against a window by Michael McMillan. On arrival, Ms. Emmer had been transported by a neighbor to Chester River Medical Center. When interviewed she reported that McMillan had pulled her off the bed and choked her. Emmer had sustained a bloody lip, scrapes and reported soreness. She also had red marks on her neck. The neighbor who called, reported that she heard the fight and saw the victim against the window. At that time she went to the residence with a bat and got the victim and her 19 month old child out of the residence. The suspect, Michael McMillan was arrested and taken to Sheriff’s Headquarters for processing. He was held on a $5000 Bail by a District Court Commissioner.
DEPUTY: Cpl. Chris Green
ASSIST: Sgt. Earl “Duke” Johnston
CASE: 12-33456
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INCIDENT: MDOP
DATE / TIME: 11/29/2012 @ 0049 Hours
LOCATION: 1000 Love Point Road, Stevensville
VICTIM: Sidney Roy of Stevensville
ARREST: Tina Louise Roy (42) of Chestertown
CHARGE: MDOP / DWI
NARRATIVE: Victim reported that his wife had thrown a lawn chair at his bedroom window causing the glass to shatter. Victim stated she began to yell his name and then attempted to enter thru the window, then fled the scene. She was located on Round Top Road near Chestertown and the vehicle was stopped. During the stop and interview an odor of alcoholic beverage was detected. After field sobriety tasks she was charged with DWI. She was later released on her personal recognizance by a District Court Commissioner.
DEPUTY: Deputy Chris Ahearn
CASE: 12-33457
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