Newark Police investigate offensive touching incident, arrest suspect in robbery

3:16 p.m., May 20, 2015--Newark Police are investigating an offensive touching incident and have announced an arrest in a burglary investigation.  

The offensive touching incident occurred around 8 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, in Rittenhouse Park, located west of South College Avenue in Newark, between Route 4 and West Chestnut Hill Road. 

A woman was jogging through the park when she ran past a man standing near the trail. As she jogged past him, she was grabbed and held from behind. The victim was able to break free from the suspect and fled on foot from the area.  

She returned to her home and immediately notified police. Responding officers searched the area for the suspect, including a canine track, but were unable to locate him. The victim was not injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a white male, 29 to 31 years of age, with dark hair and a dark bushy beard, wearing a white and red plaid shirt and khakie pants. He was carrying a blue bag.

Anyone with additional information on this incident should contact Detective James Skinner at 302-366-7100 ext. 3135 or James.skinner@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.

Burglary investigation

Newark Police have announced the arrest of Stephanie Nichole Foster, 32, of Philadelphia by the Delaware State Police and the U.S. Marshal Task Force in Philadelphia. She was previously identified as a robbery suspect based on the Newark Police Department's investigation into an incident last fall at a Main Street store.

According to police, at approximately 6:15 p.m., Oct. 28, 2014, Foster attempted to pick pocket a victim inside the Alex and Ani store located at 50 East Main St. Upon realizing that her wallet had been removed by Foster, the victim confronted her and a brief physical altercation ensued. Foster fled after surrendering the wallet back to the victim. At approximately 6:46 p.m. that day, police said Foster attempted to snatch another wallet from a victim in the area of 102 East Main St., implying that she was armed with a gun in the process. After a brief foot chase, the suspect was apprehended by a group of citizens, but she subsequently escaped as they attempted to call 911. Police said the suspect is also believed to have removed a wallet from a third victim’s bag at the Chipotle at 136 East Main St., between 5:09 and 6:45 p.m. That victim’s cards were later used at several local businesses.

Foster was charged with two counts of first degree robbery, attempted theft under $1,500 and theft under $1,500, and she was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $52,000 secured bail. for the following charges:

Anyone with additional information on this incident should contact Detective Daniel Bystricky at 302-366-7100 ext. 3136 or Daniel.Bystricky@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. 

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Photo courtesy Newark Police Department