As we hear of reports of any suspicious acitvity in Highland Woods and Indian Field, we'll report it here. Please let us know if you hear of any soliciting scams, break-ins or other activity that you believe your neighbors should be aware of. Send reports to Rose Killian or Joe Abele |
Neighborhood Watch
Suspects in crime spree caught
An article on the WDEL website on June 22nd reads as follows: "County Police have arrested a pair of Claymont residents and charged them with several burglaries and robberies. Police say Ronald McKeefrey and Michael Cunningham are implicated in a string of break-ins and robberies in Arden, Fairfax, Indianfield and Surrey Park between April and June. McKeefrey's also charged with stealing a car and later setting it on fire. Officers caught up with Cunningham June 12, and with McKeefrey Thursday. The two are being held at the Howard Young Prison after failing to post bail, and are under orders not to contact one another." You can view the article at http://wdel.com/story.php?id=43780 |
June 14 Suspicious Activity
The following was reported by Indian Field resident David L. on Thursday June 14, 2012. I walked out my front door shortly after 2:30 this a.m. and witnessed a young man carrying a shopping bag from Darley Woods. He loitered around shrubbery on the corner of Indian Field and Darley (Steve Smith Property) for 40 to 45 minutes. I called 911 as soon as I saw him. I called back about 20 minutes later and said “he’s still there! He’s carrying a shopping bag!” “I think he’s waiting to be picked up”, around 3:20 am, he walked slowly back in to Darley Woods. 2 to 3 minutes later a dark Pontiac Bonneville came down Darley Rd. and turned into Darley Woods and drove straight back. A minute and a half later, I heard a car come out the lower entrance (Ulin Rd) and drive back up Darley…it was that Pontiac. At 3:34am I went back inside and a couple of minutes later a county cop showed up… 1 hour after I called. I told him what I saw and he drove around Darley Woods. As far as I know, he found nothing. It was beginning to get light outside before 5:30am, so I walked up to where I saw the guy milling around. I spotted a flashlight lying in the grass (see attached image). I took a picture and called 911 back and told them about it. They said they would send an officer out. He called me at 7:38am and said he was there and couldn’t find the flashlight. I tried to call him back but the quality of the message was bad. I’m not sure I got the right #. (no answer) |
June 8 Burglary
On June 8, 2012, in the evening, two homes in Indian
Field were burglarized while the residents were home. In one, on Indian
Field Road, keys were taken from an unlocked car, the house entered while a
residents slept within, and cash removed from a wallet and a purse. One of
the residents’ cars which was parked in the driveway was slightly damaged by an
unknown vehicle. This burglary was discovered when the residents awoke in
the morning of June 9. In the other burglary on North Trail, the unlocked home was entered and cash and other items removed from a bedroom while a resident slept in an adjacent bedroom. A resident’s car was removed from the driveway but returned sometime later. This burglary was discovered at 2 am on June 9 when a resident returned home. New Castle County Police investigated. They report that an arrest was made this week related to these burglaries and the investigation is ongoing. Apparently, there have been several other similar burglaries in the North Wilmington area in the past months. These burglaries are unusual since the vast majority of such crimes take place in daylight hours when homes are unoccupied. |
May 25 Burglary
Another daytime burglary in Darley Woods – 1014 Tweedbrook Road on Friday 5/25/2012 between 9 am and noon, entered unlocked rear window stole items |
May 21 Burglaries
Two daytime burglaries occurred during the day on Monday May 21, 2012 near Indian Field, one around 10am and the second around noon. 1100 block Darley Road Highland West and on South Trail Indian Field. Darley road forced open locked front door, Indian Field same on back door Nothing was taken in the Indian Field “burglary” according to the homeowner. He said he found his back door slightly ajar and the interior door frame lying on the interior floor. His dogs were inside the home. A contractor’s crew was working in the Delmarva property adjacent to his rear yard at the time and had been there several weeks. The crew left for good one or two days after the “burglary”. |
Police Activity Report - HW and IF
At the recent spring meeting for the Darley Civic Association, the New Castle County Polic issued an 8 page report identifying the specific calls made from January 2008 through May 2009.
You may view this report by clicking the link below.
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Highland Woods theft
August 10th, 2008
As reported by Mark LaVere at 101 Farm Ave. I left my car unlocked for probably the 5th time all year and of course…someone was waiting for that moment and rummaged through my car last night. They stole a Magellan GPS, a “Leatherman” tool, and all of the change from my change holder. There may be more missing, but I have not figured it out yet. Yes…all my napkins were in tack this time. (from last time I left it unlocked) So please be aware and keep your vehicles locked at all times. I hardly ever leave my car unlocked and the few times I do…someone steals stuff from me. So I think that this person must wander the neighborhood very often (maybe coming home from work or friends house…on foot) and check cars every time they come by. It is just too much of a coincidence.
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Update on Apex Alarm sales
Dear neighbor, There have been a few different emails circulating concerning potential sales scams in our neighborhoods over the past week. We have some new information about one such situation (concerning Apex Alarm) from the New Castle County Police department. I’ve attached an email below from the police dept sent to Councilman Robert S Weiner this morning. This is not to say that all sales people that say they represent Apex Alarm (or any other business) are legitimate, but you should always ask to see identification, and their soliciting credentials (which they are required by law to have). If you have any questions, please contact the NCC Police department – Community Services Unit at (302) 395-8059. Please share this information with your neighbors so that we can help protect our community. Sincerely, Joe Abele
Sir,
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Possible Apex Alarm sales scam
From: "S.S.P." Please warn folks about bogus salespeople for Apex Alarm. They go door to door attempting to sell you wireless security systems but want to get in your house to look at your layout. I have checked internet and they are a scam. I have notified NCC police. Sally Palmer 1 North Trail
From: Kristin Short This has also occurred recently in Windybush. A resident told Bryon and I today that she came home to find them in her house with her husband who had fallen for it. She ripped up the paperwork and told them to leave. Another group were also recently in Brandywood. One person was told the the yound man was the son of the Johnsons on the next street and he got $10 for a donation. The resident found out later that there are no Johnsons on the next street over. Lets all work together to warn our neighbors about this activity. There is a rash of it going on and hopefully we can get rid of these scam artists. Also, if they knock on your door, call your neighbors and warn them (especially elderly neighbors who are vulnerable) and ask them to do the same. You can also call the New Castle County police. Kristin Short |
Magazine Subscription scam in Highland Woods
Hi all, This evening Kristin Short sent out an email to a few neighbors about a possible scam hitting our neighborhoods today. Please review the following note, and pass the word around to your neighbors as well. This email is only going to about 30 households for which we have email addresses. Sincerely, Joe Abele
Hi, does anyone on the civic association have a list of e-mails for the neighbors? It may be too late but I want to warn people abotu a door-to-door scam. It is a kid who has a very elaborate and clever pitch which ends with him selling you magazines. I searched the company online and it is a scam. I know he hit a lot of doors in Highland Woods today and got a few people. Anyway, please pass this information to your neighbors and tell them not to fall for it. Oh, and he said his grandparents live in the neighborhood which in the end was the one thing I maybe thought he might be telling the truth about. I think he said they lived at 100 Farm Avenue. Kristin Short |