Newark Police arrest four in attempted robbery on Orchard Road

4:25 p.m., Sept. 24, 2014--Newark Police have arrested four men in connection with an attempted robbery on Sept. 23, and the investigation is continuing to determine their possible involvement in other recent crimes in Newark.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, Newark Police responded to a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred on Orchard Road. 

The victim, a 24-year-old University of Delaware student, was contacted at his residence off Elkton Road and reported that he was walking south on Orchard Road when he saw four men standing at the corner of Orchard Road and Kent Way. The men followed the victim, grabbed him from behind, displayed a black handgun and demanded his cell phone. When the student did not comply, the suspects told him to walk away. 

A description of the suspects was broadcast, and Newark Police and University of Delaware Police converged on the scene. UD Police stopped three men who fit the description at the corner of South College Avenue and Winslow Road. A Newark Police officer saw a man who fit the description driving a silver vehicle in the 200 block of Orchard Road and conducted a vehicle stop. The same vehicle had been identified by investigators as a possible suspect vehicle in recent robberies, based on Newark Police's license plate reader and witness testimony. The driver was taken into custody without incident, and all four suspects were brought back to the Newark Police Department. 

All four defendants face charges of first degree attempted robbery and second degree conspiracy. 

Newark Police are working to determine the defendants’ involvement in previous robberies, and additional charges are expected. In order to not interfere with the investigation, the names and ages of the defendants have not been released at this time. 

Anyone with additional information on this incident should contact Detective Morgan Fountain at 302-366-7110 ext. 133 or morgan.fountain@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips can be texted to 302NPD, with the message to TIP411. Information can also 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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