On Wednesday November 14, 2018 at approximately 9:00 a.m. the Newark Police responded to Delaware Distribution located at 111 Sandy Drive, Newark for a report of a robbery which was alleged to have just occurred.  It was reported to police that an unknown suspect entered the business wearing a mask, aimed a handgun at an employee, and stole money from the business. The employee provided a description of the fleeing suspect, which was broadcast to responding officers.

An officer responding to the scene located a subject matching the provided description in the area of Otts Chapel Road and West Chestnut Hill Road. During a search of the detained subject, a large amount of cash was located. Another responding officer was able to view surveillance footage and positively identified the subject in custody as the suspect in the robbery. The subject in custody was identified as 23-year-old Malik Harper of Wilmington.

Detectives assumed the investigation and interviewed the employee who reported the incident. Details of the interview, evidence and surveillance footage led the detective to determine that the employee was involved and staged the robbery to disguise a theft of cash from the business. The employee was identified as 22-year-old Vibhav Kumar of Bear, DE. A pellet gun was recovered during the investigation.

Vibhav Kumar was charged with:

Theft $1500 or Greater (2 Counts)
Providing a False Statement to Hinder Investigation
False Report to Law Enforcement
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree

Kumar was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #2 and issued $6,500 unsecured bond. He was released from custody from Newark Police Headquarters.

Malik Harper was charged with:

Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
Theft $1,500 or Greater
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree

Harper was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #2 and issued $10,000 secured Bond. Harper was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of bail.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Bystricky at 302-366-7100 ext. 3136 or dbystricky@newark.de.us 

Please see our tips page for additional ways to provide information to the police.

Vibhav Kumar

Malik Harper

November 15, 2018 – The Newark Police Department is once again conducting an anti-shoplifting initiative to coincide with the holiday season.  Officers are partnering with local retail establishments to combat shoplifting and to reduce crimes that occur in conjunction with retail theft.  Officers will be in plain clothes and will be employing other strategies in stores throughout Newark with a focus on shoplifting prevention and apprehension.  Since January 1, 2018, the Newark Police Department has responded to 104 shoplifting complaints in the City of Newark.

To assist our efforts, the police department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the below photographs of shoplifting suspects from a number of separate incidents in 2018.

Anyone with information regarding the below pictured suspects should contact Master Corporal Joseph Conover at 302-366-7100 extension 3443 or JConover@newark.de.us.

Please see our tips page for additional ways to provide information to the police.

In January, March, and April of 2018 the below pictured suspect stole multiple health and beauty products from local grocery stores. The approximate value of the property stolen by the suspect is $403.17.

In September of 2018 the below pictured suspect stole multiple sets of headphones, USB chargers, and phone chargers from a local grocery store. The approximate value of the stolen property is $233.76.

In October of 2018 the below pictured suspects stole multiple power tool sets from a local home improvement store. The suspects fled in what appeared to be a white Ford Ranger pick-up truck. The approximate value of the stolen property is $678.00

In July of 2018 the below pictured suspect loaded a duffel bag full of health and beauty products and clothing. The suspect stole the items from a local pharmacy. The approximate value of the stolen property is $336.13.

In January of 2018 the below pictured suspect stole approximately $121.77 worth of automotive parts from a local automotive repair store.

In November of 2018 the below pictured suspects stole 2 sets of power tools worth approximately $678.00. The suspects fled in maroon or burgundy SUV, possibly a Nissan Pathfinder.

Throughout the fall of 2018 the below pictured suspect has repeatedly shoplifted multiple bottles of liquor from a local liquor store. The approximate value of the thefts is $500.00.

In November of 2018 the below pictured suspect stole approximately $115.00 worth of food from a local grocery store. The suspect fled in an older model Chevrolet sedan with tinted windows and a damaged muffler.

Anyone with information regarding the below pictured suspects should contact Master Corporal Joseph Conover at 302-366-7100 extension 3443 or JConover@newark.de.us.

Please see our tips page for additional ways to provide information to the police.