Newark Police arrest man for two attempted robberies

10:13 a.m., Oct. 11, 2012--The Newark Police Department has arrested a 34-year-old Elkton, Md., man for two attempted robberies on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Newark.

Around 11:15 p.m., Newark Police responded to a report of an attempted robbery on Choate Street. Two 21-year-old women, both UD students, said they were walking down the street when a white Jeep Laredo, traveling the wrong way on the street stopped. A man got out of the vehicle with a crowbar in his hand and demanded their purses and wallets. They fled without giving him their property and called police.

As officers were speaking to these two victims, a call came in of another attempted robbery in the unit block of New London Road, with the same suspect and vehicle description. Responding officers found a man seated in a white Jeep Laredo in a UD parking lot directly across the street from the second robbery attempt. In that attempt, a 24-year-old Wilmington man was seated in his vehicle, when a man approached the passenger side of his vehicle and asked for directions, which the victim did not know. The man then walked to the driver's window, broke out the window and began to choke and strike the victim while demanding money. The victim was able to fight the man off, drive away and call 911. He sustained a cut lip and minor scratches to his face.

Police arrested Stephen Mattucci of Elkton, Md., and charged him with three counts of attempted robbery, one count of possession of a deadly weapon during commission of a felony and one count of criminal mischief. He was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institute in lieu of $40,500 secured bail.

Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Fred Nelson at 302-366-7110, ext. 136, or frederick.nelson@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips can be texted to 302NPD, with the message to TIP411. Information also can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available. 

Safety tips

Members of the University community are reminded to observe the following safety guidelines:

• Show a confident attitude and be alert and aware of your surroundings. Follow common sense safety precautions at all times.

• Avoid walking alone at night. Walk with a group, ride a UD shuttle bus or call for a walking escort.

• Use crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals to cross streets.

• Report all suspicious activity by calling 911 from on or off campus.