Police: Suspended Wilmington officer charged with raping woman while on duty

WILMINGTON, Del. (FOX 29) - A suspended Wilmington police officer has been charged with raping a woman while on duty in October 2018, authorities announced Tuesday.

Cpl. Thomas Oliver, Jr. has been charged with second-degree rape, extortion and official misconduct.

Investigators say that Oliver was on duty, in uniform and driving a marked patrol vehicle on the 700 block of East 9th Street when the incident occurred on Oct. 16.

According to police, Oliver pulled alongside a woman and instructed her to sit in the front passenger seat. He then allegedly exposed himself to the woman before indicating that she had an active capias for her arrest, but that he would let her go if she performed a sexual act on him.

Investigators say the victim performed such an act and Oliver subsequently allowed her to leave.

"The charges that have been filed are deeply troubling and disheartening," said Chief Robert Tracy. "The charge that one of our officers abused his authority to victimize a member of the public in this manner is sickening."

Oliver, who has been with the department for 11 years, was suspended upon its receipt of a complaint from the victim. He was arraigned on Tuesday on $66,000 cash bail.

Anyone who has information on this incident or Cpl. Oliver is urged to contact Det. Sgt. Justin Kreysa at 302-576-3632.