NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
April 21, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 174
For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Two Men Charged with Criminal Mischief in Off-Roading Incident
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents on the morning of April 16 responded to a call about two trucks stuck in mud off the established roadway in the Milford Neck Wildlife Area off Greenhouse Road in southern Kent County.
Agents said the drivers of the two vehicles, a Chevy and a Dodge, told them they had driven to the wildlife area the night before to go “mudding,” and had driven off road in several locations on the wildlife area before becoming stuck.
William D. Gaskill, age 26, of 1632 Andrews Lake Road, Felton, and Joseph C. Root, age 24, of 4 Mechanic Street, Harrington, were both arrested and charged with criminal mischief, operating a vehicle off an established roadway, malicious mischief with a motor vehicle, destruction of state property and trespassing on a wildlife area. Mr. Root was released on a $5,600 unsecured bond and Mr. Gaskill was released on a $2,700 unsecured bond, pending mandatory court appearances.
Wildlife officials assessed the damage to the wildlife area at $2,400.
“Illegal off-roading activity in our wildlife areas not only costs money and manpower to repair, it also damages fragile wildlife habitat which the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is tasked to protect,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.
“The bottom line is, it’s against the law to take trucks, ATVs and other vehicles off-road in state wildlife areas, and we want to remind those who engage in this activity that they face arrest as well as possible damage to their vehicles and towing costs,” Rhodes added.
For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.
