Dover Man Arrested for Assault & Aggravated Menacing

Image courtesy DSP

A Dover man has been arrested after an incident Thursday night in Dover. Delaware State Police were called to the Microtel on East Lebanon Road just after 10pm for a report of an assault and aggravated menacing. Police learned that a man and woman were walking on a path behind the Microtel when they were approached by an unknown man who threatened the victims, pointed a gun at them and sprayed the victim with pepper spray and then ran off.

The victims ran to safety and called 9-1-1.  The female victim was treated by EMS but refused further medical treatment.

Investigation of the incident identifies 45 year old Joseph Chapler as the suspect.  Chapler was taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Assault 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
• Terroristic Threatening – 2 counts
• Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree

Chapler was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $94,001 cash bond.