Grand Old Police Blotter
Son of state House speaker Spence charged in bar fight
State police charged Terry Spence Jr., 36, of New Castle, with possession of a deadly weapon during a felony, three counts of felony first-degree reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, reckless driving and conspiracy. He turned himself in to police Friday. Spence is the son of the Delaware Speaker of the House, Terry Spence Sr. – WNJ
Something similar happened to a black guy last week in Dover. Actually, so far the charges and the police handling of both incidents sound pretty even-handed. But it will be interesting to follow the outcomes.
A 57-year-old Dover man was arrested after he allegedly tried to steal water from a home improvement store and assaulted employees who tried to stop him from leaving.
Dover police charged Thomas Watkins, of the 400 block of Barrister Place with first-degree robbery, four counts of reckless endangering, third-degree assault, offensive touching and two counts of criminal mischief.
He was committed to the Delaware Correctional Center after failing to post $14,800 bail.
Dover police spokesman Capt. Lester Boney said about 8:48 p.m. Thursday, employees of the Home Depot on U.S. 13 confronted a man who tried to take a 5-gallon water bottle from the store without paying.
Boney said the man began punching one employee and pushed another away before several customers tried to help.
The suspect, however, ran out of the store and got into his vehicle and sped toward the customers as he was fleeing the parking lot. link
Note: The “shoplifting water” thing sounds pretty nuts to me, and I’d like to know the details. I can easily imagine some Home Despot customer service problem gone horribly wrong. After waiting in line 45 minutes, only to be told the girl who knows how to process the return deposits is on a break, I’d probably say “F**k it, I’m just taking a new one.”
stupid behavior, but that’s a lot of charges for an incident that lacks a victim. From the news report, there was no physical contact between spence and anyone, no arm grabing, no shoving, to hitting or kicking.
a bar fight without a punch?