On September 11, 2020, at about 0300 hours, a female was walking southbound on Haines Street south of Continental Avenue.  The victim reported that a black sedan stopped near her and the male driver exited the vehicle. The male asked the victim if she needed a ride and the victim declined his offer.  The victim attempted to walk away.  The suspect then placed his hands on her shoulder and attempted to steer her towards his car.  The victim started to run away, but fell to the ground.

Once on the ground, the suspect grabbed her ankle and began to pull her towards his car. While being pulled toward the suspect’s car, the victim broke free from the suspect and ran away from the area. The suspect fled in the vehicle in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a black male, 18-22 years of age, 5’8″, thin build, short hair and facial hair.

The victim suffered minor injury during the incident, but did not require medical attention.

This incident was first reported to the police this evening.

The Newark Police remind members of the public that it is safest to walk at night in groups and in well-lit areas.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. P. Keld at (302) 366-7100 x. 3106 or pkeld@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.

The Newark Police Department is issuing a public advisory regarding several recent thefts of checks from outgoing mail.  Over the last five weeks, the Newark Police Department has received multiple reports of checks being stolen from the United States Postal Service (USPS) outgoing mail after having been dropped off in various USPS mailboxes around the City of Newark.  The suspects have taken the mailed  checks, altered them and then cashed them at various locations throughout the United States.  The value of the checks cashed totals more than $50,000.  The manner and method of the theft of the mail remains under investigation.

To avoid becoming a victim of mail theft, the Newark Police recommend that payments be made through electronic means (bank bill pay service, direct debit, etc) when possible.  Additional tips to prevent theft through the mail can be found here.

The Newark Police are working with the United States Postal Inspection Service on this case.  Any City of Newark resident who has been a victim of mail theft and has not reported the incident to police should contact Lt. Fred Nelson at fnelson@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100 ext. 3119.  Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on our tips page, where reward information may also be available.