Dewey Beach Police Department
105 Rodney Ave.
Dewey Beach, DE 19971
(302) 227-1110

NEWS RELEASE

Complaint # 89-10-00884 06/19/2010

On June 19, 2010, at 0148 hr, officers of the Dewey Beach Police Department responded to a physical altercation in front of the Ocean Winds Shopping Plaza. When the arrived they found the Victim, (WM 43 Of Warren MI) bleeding heavily from the arm, hand and face. Upon interviewing the victim, the victims friends and several independent witnesses the officers were informed that the victim was waiting for his friend to catch up to him when he was approached by the Defendant, Richard Smith III (WM 22 of Lewes DE). According to the statements Smith approached the victim in a violent manner appearing as if he wanted to fight. After a brief exchange of words between the two, Smith punched the victim in the mouth causing a deep laceration. The victim attempted to defend himself from Smith but was struck several more times. As the two-wrestled Smith retrieved a knife and stabbed the victim in the fore arm causing a deep laceration and severe blood loss. He also cut the victim’s finger causing another sizable laceration. After the assault the victim fled North on Coastal Hwy.

When the broadcast was made by the Dewey Beach Police Dispatch Center, officers who were stationed in the area located Smith amongst a crowd of people only a block away. The officers noticed Smith was bleeding heavily from his hand. When they attempted to effect an arrest on Smith he began resisting. They were forced to physically take him into custody. In the altercation four officers were exposed to blood coming from the deep gash on his hand. It was determined that the Defendant cut himself when he was assaulting the victim. After a search of the defendant he was found to be in possession of a pocketknife with fresh bloodstains.

Smith and the victim were transported to Beebe Hospital where they were treated for stab wounds and released. Smith was returned to the Dewey Beach Police Department where he was formally charged. He than was transported to the Justice of the Peace CT. # 3 where he was committed to Sussex Correctional Center in Lieu of $29,000 bond. The case is currently under investigation.

Associated Charges

Assault First Degree
Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
Resisting Arrest With Force or Violence
Aggravated Menacing

Sgt. Clifford Dempsey
Dewey Beach Police Department