Police Warn Teens Of Recent Sneaker Robberies In New Castle County
NEWARK, Del., (CBS) -- New Castle County Police are advising teens of a recent string of sneaker robberies in the Newark and Bear areas.
The first incident happened on March 28th at Weiss Park. According to police, the suspects tackled a 13-year-old from behind, removed his Nike sneakers and fled on foot.
On April 23rd, police responded to Weiss Park once again for the report of a robbery of sneakers. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the 15-year-old victim and his mother. They quickly learned the victim had been assaulted by two teens that had removed his Nike sneakers and then fled on foot.
Officers were able to identify the two suspects and return the stolen sneakers to the victim.
The 15-year-old suspect was arrested a short time after the incident, while the 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident on April 25th.
Both teens in this robbery have been charged with robbery in the second degree and conspiracy in the second degree.
Also on April 25th, officers responded to the unit block of Catherine Court for the report of a theft.
According to police, the investigating officer learned the victims responded to the area to meet with an unknown person they communicated with online in reference to purchasing a pair of Nike sneakers.
The victims reported two males met them at the predetermined location. Both victims reported to police one of the suspects asked to use a cellphone and moments later both suspects fled the area on foot with the victim's cellphone and sneakers.
Police say the victims chased after the suspects at which time a struggle ensued. One of the victims was struck in the face and the suspects fled in a dark sedan. The victim was taken to the hospital by a parent, where he was later treated and released.
On the same day around 2:15 p.m., a similar incident was reported to the police. The victim responded to the area of Martin Drive and Robert Oakes Drive after agreeing to meet with an unknown man regarding the sale of a pair of sneakers online.
According to police, as the suspects distracted the victim, they fled on foot with his Nike sneakers.
New Castle County Police are searching for the following suspects:
Suspect #1- Black male, approximately 18-years-old, 6'0'' tall, 170 pounds, and last seen wearing a baseball hat, jeans and a t-shirt.
Suspect #2- Black male, approximately 15-year-old, and last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
Suspect #3- Black male, approximately 6'0'' to 6'2" tall, average build and last seen wearing a baseball hat, t-shirt, and layers of clothing.
Suspect #4- Black male, approximately 5'8" to 5'9" tall, average build, and last seen wearing a sweat suit and a baseball hat.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the New Castle County Police Department at 302-395-8110. Citizens can submit tips anonymously by going to www.NCCPD.com and following the link for Tips and Alerts. You will be asked for a subject line, the location the tip applies to, and your tip information. You may also attach a photograph. Citizens may also provide text tips by texting the key word NCCPD followed by your tip to 847411 (TIP411). Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Citizens who currently have the Smartphone App are encouraged to use the "submit tip" tab to submit tips. Select a topic by using the "drop down" and complete the tip by "clicking" submit.