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

The Newark Police Department is looking for information regarding the whereabouts of Markesha Dollard, 39, of Wilmington    The Newark Police Department has obtained warrants for Dollard in connection with several shoplifting related cases dating back to the fall of 2024.

She currently has several active warrants for multiple charges, including Possession of Shoplifting Tools, Breach of Release, and Organized Retail Theft, etc.   These incidents occurred from October 2024 through March 2025.

Additionally, Dollard has active warrants from other police agencies and has multiple active capiases for Failing to Appear for her court dates related to other shoplifting incidents.

Anyone with information related to Dollard’s location is asked to contact Sgt. Greg Micolucci at (302) 366-7100 x. 3412 or gmicolucci@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.

Markesha Dollard