Vandalism Investigation by Dewey Beach Police Results in a Arrest of a Member of the Long Beach Beach Patrol

Dewey Beach, DE - The Dewey Beach Police Department is investigating a vandalism incident that occurred early Thursday morning near Dickinson Avenue.  

At approximately 3:00 a.m., the Dewey Beach Police Communications Center received a report of vandalism taking place on the beach. Officers responding to the location observed six individuals present.

Upon attempting to make contact, several individuals fled the scene while others remained. One individual was observed carrying a piece of wood consistent with the material used in municipal lifeguard stands.

Further investigation revealed that three lifeguard stands had been dragged into the ocean, and five stands sustained damage, which included the removal of warning signs.  

Additionally, officers noted other signs of vandalism, including multiple overturned municipal trash containers, some of which had been placed atop a beach shack. A sign attached to the shack was also found damaged.

Following interviews on the scene, Mateo Gomez, 18, of Long Beach, New York, was arrested.

He has been charged with the following offenses:

• Criminal Mischief  
• Hindering Prosecution  
• Disorderly Conduct  
• Conspiracy  
• Underage Consumption of Alcohol  
• Violation of Beach Curfew  

Gomez was released on his own recognizance pending further legal proceedings. The remaining individuals were interviewed and released.  

Officials have noted that similar incidents of vandalism and property damage have occurred in previous years, coinciding with the timeframe of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, a recurring event held annually in nearby Rehoboth Beach.

According to investigators, all individuals identified in connection to Thursday's incident, including Gomez, are associated with the Long Beach Beach Patrol of New York.  

The Dewey Beach Police Department is actively working in collaboration with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department and the Rehoboth Beach Patrol as the investigation continues.  

Disclaimer: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.