Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Newark- Delaware State Police are investigating the strong-arm robbery of a Newark teen which occurred last night in Newark.

The initial investigation has determined that the incident occurred on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at approximately 9:20 p.m., after a Newark teen had agreed to meet a male subject in the parking lot of the Shell station, located at 380 Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, with the intention of purchasing an Apple iPhone from him that he had posted on a social media site. Shortly after the teen arrived at the Shell, he was approached by a male subject. The teen asked to see the phone before turning over any money to the subject and was handed an iPhone box. As the teen began to open the box, the suspect forcibly removed an undisclosed amount of money from his hand before fleeing to a waiting vehicle. The victim chased the suspect and upon catching up to him, a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to escape from the victim and entered the passenger seat of an unknown make and model tan passenger vehicle that was being operated by a second male suspect. The vehicle, which displayed and unknown Delaware registration, then fled the area. The victim discovered that the iPhone box was empty. He was not injured.

The suspect was described as a black male. He was last seen wearing black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black rimmed glasses. The operator of the vehicle was only described as a black male. There is no further clothing or physical description available for either suspect.

The Delaware State Police would like to offer these safety tips to follow when agreeing to purchase items from on-line sites.

When meeting someone for the first time, please remember to:

• Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe, bank, or shopping center.
• Do not meet in a secluded place, or invite strangers into your home.
• Be especially careful buying/selling high value items.
• Tell a friend or family member where you’re going.
• Take your cell phone along if you have one.
• Consider having a friend accompany you.
• Trust your instincts.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at 302-365-8566. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DSPNewsroom/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/DEStatePolice. To find out more about how to get your community involved in the Nextdoor application, please click on the following link: https://nextdoor.com/.

Released: 120116 1021

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