On Tuesday, September 21, 2021 during Rail Safety Week (RSW), September 20-26, Newark Police will join with Amtrak Police and more than 600 local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement agencies for “Operation Clear Track” to raise awareness and enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws in 48 states across the U.S. “Operation Clear Track” is the largest single law enforcement railroad safety operation in the U.S.

During “Operation Clear Track,” Newark police officers will be stationed at targeted railroad grade crossings and other locations handing out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians and issuing warnings and citations to violators. The goal of Rail Safety Week’s Operation Clear Track is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased public awareness.

WHAT:                         “Operation Clear Track” Enforcement/Education event

WHEN:                         Tuesday, September 21 (rain date Wednesday, September 22)

WHERE:                       Grade crossings on North College Avenue, New London Road and West Main Street, Newark

WHY:                            Federal statistics show that every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by Operation Lifesaver Inc., Amtrak Police and law enforcement partners across the nation to raise awareness of the need for caution near railroad tracks and trains during Rail Safety Week, held September 20-26, 2021, in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

MORE INFO:                Visit the Rail Safety Week landing page and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.’s website for safety tips and statistics Contact news@oli.org or MediaRelations@amtrak.com for more information on “Operation Clear Track.”

Since January, officers with the Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit have been investigating Thomas Alie, 21, of Middletown, and his involvement in the sale of drugs in Newark. Alie was advertising his drug sales on various social media platforms to University of Delaware students and soliciting buyers.

On September 11, 2021, at about 1710 hours, officers observed Alie commit a traffic violation on East Main Street at Choate Street.  Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle and removed Alie from the vehicle. Alie ran from officers and was taken into custody after a short foot chase.  Officers walked him to a patrol vehicle and began to search him.  Alie, now handcuffed, attempted to flee again from officers and after a brief struggle was placed into a police car.

During the course of the arrest, three officers suffered minor injuries that did not require medical attention.

Alie’s vehicle was searched and more than 25 grams of cocaine and over 370 grams of marijuana were located in the vehicle.

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

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Tier 3 Quantity of Cocaine
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence
• Driving the Wrong Way on a One Way Street

Alie appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $23,650 secured bail.  Alie was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.