Four arrested for attempted home invasion, thefts in Harrington
HARRINGTON, Del. – Delaware State Police arrested four people early Thursday morning following an attempted home invasion.
Police say shortly after 1:30 a.m. they responded to the Jackson’s Ridge community for a report of individuals actively breaking into vehicles. At around the same time, a 27-year-old male was sleeping inside a home in the 300 block of Jefferson Wood Drive when he heard the sound of someone walking around his property. When he looked outside, he reportedly saw a male wearing dark clothing and a ski mask walk through his driveway and look into the windows of his parked car. The resident immediately walked out of his home and began yelling at the suspect to leave the property. The suspect began running and the homeowner followed, resulting in the suspect turning around and firing one shot in the homeowner’s direction. The homeowner reportedly ducked immediately and turned around to find cover.
Two Harrington Police officers then arrived at the scene to assist Delaware State Police with the in-progress incident. A perimeter was established by responding officers, and a canvas of the area was conducted. As officers were canvassing the area of Pleasant Pine Circle and Thornwood Drive they saw a silver sedan and stopped the vehicle. Police made contact with the driver, 18-year-old Eric Tomko, and observed two firearms in plain sight inside the car. Tomko was taken into custody as a result.
Police also observed 19-year-old Dwayne Wiltbank and 22-year-old Damian Lee walking in the 100 block of E. Lucky Drive during the investigation and detained the pair for further investigation.
It was determined that Tomko, Wiltbank, and Lee planned to commit a home invasion earlier in the night, but after being unsuccessful with gaining entry, they responded to the Harrington communities to break into unlocked motor vehicles. Multiple thefts from unsecured vehicles happened in the Lucky Estates, Pine Ridge, and Jackson’s Ridge communities. Police determined that a fourth suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Howard Bowman, was the suspect who shot at the victim on Jefferson Wood Drive. Bowman turned himself in on Thursday.
Bowman was held at SCI on a $108,500 cash bond after being charged with attempted first degree murder, attempt to commit home invasion, multiple counts each of second and third degree conspiracy, and multiple theft charges.
Tomko was charged with attempt to commit home invasion, attempt to commit theft, multiple counts of theft, and multiple counts each of second and third degree conspiracy. He was later released on a $22,500 unsecured bond.
Wiltbank was charged with attempt to commit home invasion, attempt to commit theft, multiple counts of theft, and second and third degree conspiracy. He was held at SCI on a $34,500 cash bond.
Lee was held at SCI on a $35,000 cash bond on multiple theft, conspiracy, attempt to commit home invasion, and attempt to commit theft charges.
