Wilmington Recent Arrests Lookup
Wilmington recent arrests are handled by the Wilmington Police Department and booked into the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in the city. WPD has tracked criminal activity in Wilmington since 1739 and now runs a 305-officer force accredited by CALEA. To look up a Wilmington arrest, you can start with the Delaware Judiciary CourtConnect system, check the WPD news page for press releases, or contact the WPD records unit on North Walnut Street. This page walks through every route for finding Wilmington recent arrests data, from the initial booking to the court docket.
Wilmington Overview
Wilmington Police Recent Arrests
The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) is the main city agency for Wilmington recent arrests. WPD runs CompStat case reviews, community policing teams, a Group Violence Intervention unit, and a Crime Gun Intelligence Center with the ATF. Chief Wilfredo Campos leads the force with more than 26 years of service on the job.
For the most recent news about WPD activity, the department posts press releases and case updates on the WPD news page. The department also sends alerts through Nixle and posts on Facebook (@WilmingtonPolice), Twitter (@WPDPIO), and Instagram. A crime tip hotline at (302) 576-3990 accepts anonymous tips.
For an annual look at trends, WPD publishes a year-end report. The 2024 report showed an 11 percent drop in shooting incidents, a 6 percent drop in shooting victims, and a 21 percent drop in overall Part 1 crimes. More than a dozen arrests closed 2024 murder cases, plus 10 arrests in prior year cases.
The department mission and structure live on the WPD main page, which covers recruitment, unit assignments, and the history of the department.
Where Wilmington Recent Arrests Are Booked
After a Wilmington arrest that leads to a hold, the person goes to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution (HRYCI), the main detention center for the city and all of New Castle County. HRYCI sits at 1301 East 12th Street in Wilmington.
The HRYCI page on the DOC site has the visitation schedule, intake info, and phone numbers.
Pre-trial detainees held on cash bail stay at HRYCI. Delaware runs a unified system, so the Department of Correction handles both jail and prison duty. Sentenced inmates may also serve Level 5 time here.
To confirm custody status after a Wilmington arrest, run the name through the DOC inmate locator, which routes into VINELink. You can set free phone, text, or email alerts when the custody status changes.
Note: Some Wilmington arrests for federal crimes or state-level charges may be held at a different facility based on the charging agency and court assignment.
How to Search Wilmington Arrest Records
Start with the Delaware Judiciary. The CourtConnect portal returns dockets for Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court cases 24 hours a day. Search by full name, business name, case type, or docket number. Free access, no account needed for the basic search.
To run a Wilmington arrest search, have these ready:
- Full name or at least a last name
- Approximate date of the arrest
- Court you think heard the case
- Case or citation number if you have one
CourtConnect shows filing dates, charges, scheduled events, and disposition once the case is docketed. Note that criminal history background checks require a separate request to the Delaware State Police SBI. CourtConnect does not produce a full rap sheet.
After the court search, check WPD press releases for context on the arrest, charges filed, and any ongoing investigation.
Wilmington Police Records Unit
The WPD records unit at 300 North Walnut Street is where you go for an incident or crime report. Victims of a crime can visit in person to get a copy for free. The records unit phone is (302) 576-3607.
Collision reports are handled on a paid basis. Parties in a crash, their legal reps, and insurance companies can request a collision report by mail. You send a written request with a $20 check or money order made out to the Wilmington Police Department, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Address the letter to the records unit at 300 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Vehicle releases are no longer handled by WPD. Those requests now go through the Department of Finance.
For video evidence submissions, WPD runs a secure upload portal at www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Footage. The form covers package theft, car theft, crashes, and suspicious activity. Evidence uploads use the Axon Evidence.com platform.
Cold case files are managed by a dedicated unit at (302) 576-3937. Sgt. Thomas Curley leads the team and can be reached at Thomas.Curley@cj.state.de.us.
Warrant Checks for Wilmington Arrests
Before a Wilmington arrest, an active warrant or capias sits in the DELJIS system. The public-facing part of DELJIS is the DELJIS Online Wanted Person Review. Search by last name at minimum. First name narrows the list.
Results include full name, birth month and year, pending charges, race, sex, issuing court, warrant number, and case number. The tool pulls from all Delaware courts, so Wilmington bench warrants, Kent warrants, and Sussex warrants all appear in the same query.
If the search returns a match on your name, don't act on it yourself. Delaware State Police ask people to contact the issuing court or turn themselves in. Only sworn officers can arrest on a warrant.
Wilmington FOIA for Recent Arrests
For records that are not online or not released through the records unit, file a Freedom of Information Act request. Delaware FOIA is in Title 29, Chapter 100 of the Delaware Code. Public agencies have 15 business days to respond.
The City of Wilmington FOIA portal at wilmingtonde.gov uses GovQA to intake requests. You must be a Delaware citizen. Each department has a FOIA coordinator who routes the request.
FOIA fees for standard copies: the first 20 pages are free, then $0.10 per sheet ($0.20 double-sided). Oversized copies run from $2 to $3 each. Color copies cost an extra $1 per sheet. Administrative fees apply when the request takes more than an hour of staff time, billed at the lowest-paid employee capable of the job.
FOIA exemptions that apply to Wilmington arrest records include investigatory files under §10002(l)(3), criminal files that would invade personal privacy under §10002(l)(4), and intelligence files under §10002(l)(5). Pending investigations and juvenile records stay closed. Denials can be appealed to the Delaware Attorney General or taken to Superior Court.
Wilmington Municipal Code and Ordinances
Many Wilmington arrests involve city ordinance charges rather than state-level crimes. For the text of the city code, visit the City of Wilmington Municipal Code on Municode.
The code has 277 ordinances covering public order, nuisance, zoning, traffic, and business licensing. A simple search lets you find the charge text, the penalty, and the section number.
Note: The posted code may lag behind the latest City Council actions. Check with the City Clerk or the Council FOIA office at (302) 576-2140 for the most current language.
New Castle County Recent Arrests
Wilmington sits inside New Castle County. Felony cases move from the Wilmington arrest to the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center at 500 North King Street. For more on county-level resources and the NCCPD role outside city limits, see the county page.
Nearby Cities
These Delaware cities are close to Wilmington and share the New Castle County court system.