Middletown Radio

Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Matthew Jester of Dover, Delaware, for burglary, felony DUI, and numerous other charges following an investigation that began early this morning.

On December 2, 2022, at approximately 3:14 a.m., troopers responded to the 19000 block of Norwood Street in Rehoboth regarding a man who was attempting to burglarize a home. The man, later identified as Matthew Jester, had tried to force entry into a home and had threatened a resident with a large knife. Troopers arrived and attempted to contact Jester while he was seated in his pickup truck, but Jester fled the area in his vehicle and nearly struck a trooper who was standing nearby. Jester continued northbound onto Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed and committed numerous traffic violations while troopers pursued him into the Milton area. The vehicle eventually stopped on Union Street Extension near Williams Farm Road after a Milton police officer successfully deployed a tire deflation device. Jester was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody after physically struggling with troopers on the roadside. A search of Jester’s vehicle led to the discovery of a large fixed-blade knife and drug paraphernalia. Jester also showed signs of impairment.

Jester was transported to Troop 7 and charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Attempted Burglary First Degree (Felony)
• 6^th Offense DUI (Felony)
• Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Criminal Solicitation Second Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief Over $5,000 (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Criminal Mischief Under $1,000
• Disorderly Conduct
• Criminal Trespass Third Degree
• Numerous traffic offenses

Jester was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $81,700 cash bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..