In early October, 2023, a school resource officer assigned to Newark High School, 750 East Delaware Avenue, was alerted to the theft of about two dozen computers from an unlocked classroom within the school.

During the course of the investigation into the thefts, including review of surveillance video and conducting interviews, two students at the school were identified as suspects.  The suspects were identified as a 14 year-old male and a 15 year-old male, both from Wilmington. The majority of the stolen computers were recovered by Newark Police and Newark High School staff during the investigation.

In late November, both suspects turned themselves in to Newark Police.  They were each charged with Theft Over $1,500 and Conspiracy Second Degree.  They were released on unsecured bail to appear in Family Court at a later date.

On November 24, 2023, members of the Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit were conducting proactive enforcement in the 1100-block of South College Avenue.  During that time, they contacted Dontay Purnell, 37, of Wilmington.  Purnell was found to have a warrant for failing to appear in a Delaware court and he was taken into custody without incident.

While searching Purnell, officers located drugs concealed in his pants.  The drugs consisted of heroin, crack cocaine and MDMA.

The passenger in Purnell’s vehicle, Domineeke Seth, 28, of New Castle, provided a false name to law enforcement.  She was also found in possession of heroin.  She was issued a summons for hindering prosecution and possession of heroin and released to appear in court at a later date.  She was found to be wanted by the New Castle County Police Department for unrelated charges.  She was turned over to NCCPD for further processing.

Purnell was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with:

• Possession with intent to deliver heroin
• Possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine
• Possession with intent to deliver MDMA
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Purnell appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was released on $7,700 unsecured bail.