Wilmington Man Charged With Knife Related Robbery and Weapons Charges

On July 3, 2025, at approximately 9:42 pm, the Newark Police Department responded to a robbery that occurred at a hotel located at the 1100 block of South College Ave.

During the incident, the suspect struck the victim in the face.  Thereafter, the suspect displayed a knife to the victim and began to swing the knife in a stabbing motion.   When the victim attempted to call 911, the suspect interfered with the call, causing it to disconnect.   The suspect took property from the victim and fled the scene.

Through investigative means, the suspect was identified as Cortez Crawford, 31, of Wilmington.  A warrant was obtained for Crawford.

On July 5, 2025, Crawford was located and detained by Amtrak Police in Wilmington and was taken into custody.  A large butcher knife was located on his person when he was apprehended.    He was transported to Newark Police headquarters, where he was charged with:

• Robbery 1st Degree
• Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
• Aggravated Menacing
• Trespass 3rd Degree
• Offensive Touching
• Malicious Interference of Emergency Communications

Crawford appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $41,151 cash bail. Crawford was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.

Cortez Crawford