Newark Police have arrested three individuals and are searching for a fourth suspect after a home invasion robbery reported at about 8 a.m., Monday, Jan. 23, in the unit block of Prospect Avenue in Newark.

Responding officers met two victims at the house where the robbery occurred, and one of them was bleeding from his head. The second victim was not injured.

The first victim told police he was home when three suspects entered his house through an unlocked door, confronted him and struck him in the head with a handgun. After taking items from the second victim, the suspects fled.

Responding officers noticed drug paraphernalia in the house and detected a strong order of marijuana. A search warrant was obtained and officers located marijuana plants, several individually wrapped bags of suspected cocaine, scales, packaging material and U.S. currency. All the items were seized, and the first victim, Tyler Oppel, was arrested for maintaining a drug property and other related charges. After being treated at the Christiana Emergency Room, he was arraigned and released on $7,500 unsecured bond. Oppel is a University of Delaware student and will be referred to the University’s Office of Student Conduct.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Newark detectives located Jason Mackey, 39, in the area of South College Avenue and Welsh Tract Road after learning he may have been involved in the initial robbery. After conducting a car stop of Mackey’s vehicle, officers located drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia in the car. Mackey was arrested for possession of these items and was arraigned. He is being held in lieu of $40,000 secured bond, and his involvement in the robbery is still under investigation

A second suspect, Elijah Stevens, 23, was connected to the robbery through mutual acquaintances. On Jan. 25, the Newark/Middletown Police Regional SWAT team served a search warrant at his house on Terra Hill Drive in Wilmington, Delaware. Stevens was charged with multiple charges related to the robbery and arraigned. He is being held in lieu of $88,501 secured bond.

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are seeking information on the third suspect.

Anyone with additional information should contact Detective James Skinner at 302-366-7100 x3135, or James.Skinner@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips may 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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