On November 20, 2021, at about 2322 hours, Newark Police responded to a report of an altercation at a residence in the 400 block of Hamlet Way.  Arriving officers contacted a female victim who reported that two males attempted to remove her from her apartment.  Further investigation determined that the victim recently met one of the two males, later identified as Rene Villate Umpierre, 20, of Philadelphia, and she allowed him to come over to her residence.  A second male, later identified as Keniel Rivera Peraza, 24, of Elkton, remained in a vehicle outside.

While inside, Villate Umpierre became aggressive and physical with the victim, began to choke the victim and attempted to remove her from her bedroom.  The victim fought back and was able to secure herself in a room and call 911.  The victim heard Villate Umpierre talking on the phone to Rivera Peraza as if they were planning to remove her from the residence.

A Newark Police Officer, who was already in the area, located the two suspects leaving the apartment complex and took them into custody without incident.  Peraza was found to have crack cocaine in his possession.

A knife was found to have been placed near the apartment door by one of the suspects.

Both suspects were transported to Newark Police headquarters where they were charged with the following offenses:

• Rene Villate Umpierre
  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
  • Attempted Kidnapping Second Degree
  • Strangulation
  • Conspiracy Second Degree
  • Offensive Touching
• Keniel Rivera Peraza
  • Attempted Kidnapping Second Degree
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity
  • Conspiracy Second Degree

Both suspects appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video.  Villate Umpierre was ordered to be held in default of $60,000 cash bail and was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.  Rivera Peraza was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

On November 20, 2021, at about 0109 hours, Newark Police responded to the area of West Main Street and New London Road for a report of shots fired.  Arriving officers located a vehicle in a nearby parking lot and detained the occupants of the vehicle.

An initial investigation found that a confrontation occurred between two groups on West Main Street.  During the course of that confrontation, a vehicle, which was occupied by subjects involved in the confrontation, was damaged.  Gunshots were reported to have been fired during the confrontation, however no victims have been located.

Newark Police Detectives were notified and have started an investigation.  They continue to interview witnesses, occupants of the vehicle that was detained and review surveillance footage.  No one has been charged in this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. A. Whitt at (302) 366-7100 x. 3483 or awhitt@newark.de.us.  Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on our tips page, where reward information may also be available.