News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
February 5, 2008
Volume 38, Number 51

 

Contact: Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, phone: (302) 739-9913 or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

 

Fish and Wildlife Agents Arrest Six for State Wildlife Area Offenses

 

In a joint operation with the Delaware State Police aviation unit, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents on the afternoon of Feb. 3 patrolled Sussex County state wildlife areas for off highway vehicles and criminal mischief. Using police vehicles, ATVs and a State Police helicopter, the patrol resulted in six arrests on the Nanticoke Wildlife Area.

 

Four Laurel men were arrested and charged with operating ATVs on a state wildlife area and operating an unregistered vehicle on a state wildlife area: Mark J. Jones, age 33, of 32672 Bi-State Road; Adam R. Dickerson, age 20, of 32216 Williams Road; Joshua A. Sheperd, age 22, of 6160 Old Sharptown Road; and Joshua T. Carroll, age 19, of 18340 Phillips Hill Road.

 

“On property managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the law requires that vehicles must stay on designated and established roadways. That means it is unlawful to take four wheel drive and other off highway vehicles, including ATVs, off road in our state wildlife areas. Violators can face arrest, fines and in some cases, tow bills,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

 

On private property, a person wishing to drive a vehicle off-road must obtain the landowner’s permission, Sgt. Rhodes added.

 

Agents also arrested James C. Walton, age 18, of 11935 Orange Blossum Lane, Seaford, and charged him with littering from a motor vehicle and littering on a state wildlife area. Matthew Patchett, age 18, of 5083 Woodland Church Road, Seaford, was arrested and charged with destroying division property, being off an established roadway, speeding in a wildlife area and littering in a wildlife area.

 

Agents also issued 25 verbal warnings for miscellaneous off highway vehicle violations. In addition to the Nanticoke Wildlife Area, the patrol covered Midlands, Jones Store, Woodland and Red House wildlife areas.

 

For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.