Claymont – The Delaware State Police have charged 48 year old Richard E. Johnson of Wyncote, Pennsylvania with multiple felonies after he held a Philadelphia woman inside a Claymont area hotel room at knifepoint on Sunday afternoon.

The investigation determined that Johnson picked up the 36 year old female victim at approximately 10:30 a.m., in the Germantown area of Philadelphia after she asked him for a ride. Johnson and the victim, who were strangers, then drove around the City of Philadelphia, eventually ending up at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located 630 Naaman’s Rd. in Claymont.

As the two were boarding an elevator at the hotel, the female victim began to feel uneasy and attempted to leave, at which time Johnson produced a knife and told her she was coming with him. Johnson then escorted the victim to a room on the second floor of the hotel at knifepoint. After being in the room for a short period of time a hotel housekeeper entered the room to clean it, which gave the victim the opportunity to escape and call 911. The victim was not injured as a result of the incident.

Troopers responded to the hotel at 12:37 p.m. and were able to take Johnson into custody without incident as he was attempting to leave the premises. A search of Johnson’s person upon being taken into custody produced a folding knife.

Johnson was charged with one count each of Unlawful Imprisonment 1^st Degree, Aggravated Menacing and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned and then released on $34,000.00 unsecured bail.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us. 

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:010720 0705

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