Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Delaware State Police Investigate Attempted Robbery Leading to Crash

Date Posted: Sunday, July 21st, 2024

Delaware State Police are investigating an attempted robbery that resulted in a vehicle crash on Friday night.

On July 19, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Railroad Avenue in Townsend for a reported robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that two young victims, a 19-year-old man from Middletown, Delaware, and an 18-year-old woman from Newark, Delaware, had arranged to sell vape pens to an unknown individual they had met through social media.

When they arrived at a residence on the 500 block of Railroad Avenue, the victims were approached by two suspects on foot. The suspects entered the vehicle, brandished handguns, and demanded the vape pens and money.

In response, the 19-year-old driver began honking the vehicle’s horn, causing one suspect to flee. The second suspect remained inside as the driver attempted to escape by driving away. The vehicle veered off Railroad Avenue and collided with a utility pole before crashing into a nearby residence. After the crash, all individuals exited the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver pursued the suspects, at which point one of the suspects fired a shot at him. The suspects then fled the scene.

The 18-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash. No other injuries were reported, including from the occupied residence that was struck. Currently, there is no description of the suspects, and no video surveillance or images are available at this time.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues its investigation and urges anyone who may have witnessed or has relevant information regarding this incident to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. 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.