On February 16, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Newark Police Department officers responded to the 900 block of Wharton Drive for a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who reported that he had been robbed at gunpoint by an acquaintance and the acquaintance’s friend, who had been at his apartment earlier that day.

The victim reported that he asked the suspect to leave, and at that time, they produced a handgun and struck the victim multiple times, causing minor injuries. The victim declined medical treatment. During the altercation, the suspects stole the victim’s property, including his vehicle keys, and fled the area in his vehicle at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Newark Police Detectives responded and assumed the investigation. The suspects were soon identified as juveniles: a 16-year-old male and a 16-year-old female.   Warrants for both suspects were obtained, and officers attempted to locate them.

On February 18, 2026, the 16-year-old female suspect was taken into custody after being located inside the stolen vehicle by members of the Newark Police Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from allied law enforcement partners. She was arraigned by a judge at the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued $42,100 cash bail. She was subsequently committed to the New Castle County Juvenile Detention Center.

On February 20, 2026, the 16-year-old male suspect was taken into custody at Newark Police Department Headquarters upon his arrival to speak with detectives. He was arraigned by a judge at the New Castle County Family Court and issued $20,000 unsecure bail.

Both suspects were charged with the following offenses:

• Robbery 1st Degree
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree
• Criminal Mischief Under $1,500

Beginning in 2024, the Newark Police Department initiated an investigation into a series of shoplifting incidents involving the same suspect. During the investigation, a female suspect was observed committing multiple thefts from retail establishments, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars in merchandise. The incidents were determined to be part of her ongoing organized retail theft activity.

Through coordinated investigative efforts by officers of the Newark Police Department and partnering jurisdictions, the suspect was positively identified, and arrest warrants were obtained.

The warrants included felony charges for Noncompliance with Bond, as well as 23 counts of Breach of Release stemming from prior shoplifting-related arrests and violations of court-ordered conditions. The suspect was also wanted for several capiases for failing to appear in court in connection with previous shoplifting incidents that date back to 2024.

On February 11, 2026, members of the Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit located and arrested Markesha Dollard, 40, of Wilmington, Delaware. Dollard was taken into custody without incident, and she was charged with the following:

Newark Police Department Charges:

• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 5 counts
• Possession of Shoplifter’s Tools – 5 counts
• Noncompliance with Conditions of Bond – Felony – 2 count
• Breach of Release – 23 counts
• Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree – 2 counts
• Theft – Organized Retail Crime – 1 count

Other Agency Charges:

• Shoplifting Under $1,500 – 1 count
• Conspiracy 3rd Degree – 1 count

Dollard also had 8 capiases for Failure to Appear that were issued by the Justice of the Peace Court #20 and the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.

Dollard was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace Court #2 judge and was given $39,600 secured bail and an additional $10,000 cash bail.  She was transported to Baylor Women’s Correctional Facility.

Markesha Dollard