Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Troopers Arrest Man for Kidnapping and Aggravated Menacing

Date Posted: Saturday, September 2nd, 2023

Fleming

The Delaware State Police have arrested 45-year-old Murray Fleming of New Castle, Delaware, for kidnapping, aggravated menacing, and additional crimes following an incident that occurred at a New Castle Wawa last night.

On September 1, 2023, at approximately 8:38 p.m., troopers responded to the Wawa located at 7 East Commons Boulevard, New Castle, for a report of a man chasing a woman around the store with a knife. Troopers learned that during an argument between the suspect, identified as Murray Fleming, and a 37-year-old acquaintance, he hit her and threatened to kill her while displaying a knife. A 32-year-old Wawa employee witnessed the attack and aided the woman by telling her to lock herself into an office in the back of the store. The victim was able to get away from Fleming and lock herself in the office. Fleming then forcefully grabbed the Wawa employee as she was trying to escape, held the knife against her throat, and demanded she open the locked office door, or he’d kill her. The victim complied and Fleming shoved her away to grab the 37-year-old acquaintance. A 47-year-old patron entered the store and witnessed Fleming threatening to kill the 37-year-old acquaintance with a knife while he pinned her to the ground. The man intervened and struck Fleming with a display stand, which caused Fleming to start chasing the man with the knife. Fleming threatened to kill the man while chasing him around the parking lot until officers took him into custody. Officers from the New Castle City Police Department and the New Castle County Police Department arrived at the scene and took Fleming into custody without incident. No one was injured during the incident.

Fleming was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following crimes:

Kidnapping First Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 3 counts
Terroristic Threatening – 3 counts
Offensive Touching – 2 counts
Criminal Mischief

Fleming was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $67,000 cash bond.

The Delaware State Police are still actively investigating this incident. Troopers are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Corporal Z. Sherwood at Troop 2 by calling 302-834-2620. 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.