Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Two Suspects Arrested and Two Remain At-Large for Robbery

Date Posted: Friday, September 8th, 2023

barbensnavely

Delaware State Police have arrested Shannon Barben, 41, of Newark, Delaware, and Kelli Snavely, 38, of New Castle, Delaware, for a robbery that occurred Saturday night in Newark.

On September 2, 2023, at approximately 10:52 p.m., troopers responded to the Quality Inn located at 65 Geoffrey Drive, Newark, for a report of a robbery. Upon arriving, troopers located an injured man in the hallway, and Kelli Snavely, who identified herself as the renter of the room where the incident occurred. The ensuing investigation revealed the 55-year-old victim was contacted by an acquaintance for a ride from the Quality Inn to an undisclosed location. The victim met the acquaintance in her room, where he was ambushed by two men who punched him while stealing his cell phone and an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects fled the motel room with the victim’s belongings after other guests were alerted by the victim’s cries for help. The suspects briefly returned to the room and returned the victim’s cell phone before fleeing again in an unknown direction. Shannon Barben, one of the two men involved in the incident, returned to the scene and was taken into custody without incident during the troopers’ investigation.

The acquaintance and the second man were not located, and at that time their identity was unknown. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS for his injuries. Barben was taken to Troop 2, and was charged with the following crimes:

Shannon Barben:

Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)

Barben was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $22,000 secured bond.

On September 3, 2023, troopers returned to the Quality Inn to review surveillance footage. Troopers identified the second man and the acquaintance as Charles Holotanko and Jacqulynn Mansfield. Additionally, the investigation revealed Snavely was involved in the incident. She was located and taken into custody at a nearby motel. All attempts to locate Holotanko and Mansfield were unsuccessful.

Snavely was taken to Troop 2, where she was charged with the following crimes:

Kelli Snavely:

Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)
Provide False Statement to Law Enforcement with Intent to Delay/Hinder Investigation of a Felony (Felony)

Snavely was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $21,500 cash bond.

Holotanko and Mansfield have not been located at this time. Both have multiple felony warrants for their arrest, including for the following crimes:

Charles Holotanko:

Holotanko

Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)

Jacqulynn Mansfield:

Mansfield

Robbery First Degree (Felony)
Conspiracy First Degree (Felony)

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Charles Holotanko and/or Jacqulynn Mansfield is asked to contact Corporal B. Wingate of Delaware State Police Troop 6 at 302-633-5000 or by calling 911. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.