DOVER — A 21-year-old Camden man was charged with first-degree murder Monday after investigation into the January death of a man found near railroad tracks, police said.
Darryl Garner, of Wesley Street, also was charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of firearm by person prohibited and theft under $1,500, according to Dover Police Department.
Dover police have now made arrests in five of seven homicide cases within city jurisdiction limits in 2015.
“We are happy with the recent success in solving homicides but continue to work on the two that remain unsolved,” Dover Police spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman said.
Darryl Garner
“It is further proof that the detectives working these cases are relentless in their pursuit of justice for the victims and their families no matter how long it takes. We will continue to work diligently to solve the remaining two cases and work to prevent future incidents from occurring.”
Authorities alleged Mr. Garner had an arranged meeting with Jordan Peck, 18, for undisclosed reasons, and Mr. Peck was found dead the morning of Jan. 25.
“Detectives learned through phone records that Jordan Peck was supposed to meet Darryl Garner prior to his death, a meeting confirmed by Garner and surveillance video obtained by detectives during the investigation,” Cpl. Hoffman said.
Surveillance video came from multiple sources, police said, including some businesses.
Authorities said the theft charge resulted from undisclosed items allegedly taken from Mr. Peck.
No firearm connected to the case has been recovered, police said.
Police alleged Mr. Garner was untruthful when questioned by detectives early in the investigation, “despite the evidence that had been obtained by detectives at the time.”
Clothes allegedly worn by Mr. Garner on the night of Mr. Peck’s death were found during a search warrant execution, authorities said. When tested, the clothing was found to have gunshot residue on it, police said.
Police continued to investigate in the months that followed, Cpl. Hoffman said, gathering witness statements.
Mr. Garner has been held by the Delaware Department of Correction since Jan. 26 regarding unrelated second-degree rape charges, police said.