Newark Police arrest man for stalking

Article by UDaily staff Photo courtesy of Newark Police Department December 13, 2019

UD student targeted with harassing text messages

Newark Police have arrested a 25-year-old Newark man in connection with stalking case that involved him sending a series of harassing text messages to a female University of Delaware student.

In October, the student reported that, since August, she had been receiving text messages from unknown, anonymous phone numbers that contained vulgar language and derogatory remarks.

Newark detectives traced the messages to a web-based messaging service that allows messages to be sent anonymously. During interviews with detectives, the victim provided the name of a possible suspect who was a former acquaintance she knew from the University. She said she had not been in contact with him for more than four months.

At that point, Newark detectives learned that investigators from the UD Police Department were also investigating the same individual for similar conduct involving a different victim. Detectives from both agencies were able to identify a link between the suspect and both victims, who had no other known connection. The suspect was identified based on investigation into the computer used to access the messaging service.

Kyle Stevens

On Dec. 11, the suspect, Kyle Stevens, 25, of Newark, Delaware, was taken into custody without incident at his residence in Newark. He was taken to Newark Police Headquarters where he was charged with stalking and harassment. In addition, he was charged with an additional count of stalking for the case investigated by the UD Police Department.

Stevens, who is a senior at the University, appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $5,000 secured bail. He was turned over to the custody of the Howard R Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, Delaware. Students who are arrested are referred to the University’s Office of Student Conduct.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Newark Police Detective W. Anderson at 302-366-7100, ext. 3469 or wanderson@newark.de.us. Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on the department’s tips page, where reward information may also be available.

Resources

UD Police remind the campus community to be vigilant. If you see something, say something. Call 911 to report suspicious activity. Go to the UD Police website for more safety tips.

Members of the UD community may download a free smartphone app, LiveSafe, that lets users submit tips to police, receive important broadcast notifications and contact the University of Delaware Police Department directly. To learn more, visit this UD Police website.

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