Dover barricade situation ends with one in custody

First responders in Dover worked together on Sunday, to bring a successful end to a barricade situation.

Dover Police say early Sunday morning, around 2:45 AM, Officers responded to Primrose Drive, for reports of a possible burglary in progress. Once on scene, Police say they were able to locate the sound that the caller heard, at a nearby home, along with a loud noise that they thought was a gun shot. Officers also reportedly noticed smoke coming from the home, and contacted the Dover Fire Department.

Firefighters then arrived, and went into the home, and put out the small kitchen fire. While firefighters were checking the rest of the home, the occupant, 39-year-old Cliffton Stevens, apparently chased them out of the home, and threw objects at them. Police say they noticed that Stevens had multiple self-inflicted injuries to his body, and when they tried to take him into custody, he was able to get back into the home, and barricade himself inside.

The Dover Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team and Special Operations Response Team then reportedly responded to the scene, and worked for over four hours to get Stevens to come out. Police say during that time, they learned that Stevens suffered from a mental condition that was responsible for his behavior.

Eventually, Officials made their way into the home, and were able to take Stevens into custody, before transporting him to a local hospital for treatment for his condition and his self-inflicted injuries. During the situation, surrounding homes were evacuated for safety to the community pool house parking lot. 

The Dover Police Department says they “would like to thank the Dover Fire Department and Delaware State Police for their response and efforts in aiding Stevens and protecting the surrounding neighbors.”