Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

State Police Arrest Wilmington Man for Attempted Robbery in Newark

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 31st, 2025

News Release text with State Police vehicle in the background

The Delaware State Police arrested 45-year-old Victor Shipley, of Wilmington, Delaware, for attempted robbery and related charges on Monday afternoon in Newark.

On December 29, 2025, troopers responded to Center Pointe Plaza, located at 1291 Churchmans Road, in Newark, for what was originally reported as a suspicious person. Multiple bystanders directed responding troopers towards a man, identified as Victor Shipley, who was walking through the parking lot, and placing his personal items under a parked car.

The investigation revealed Shipley approached a woman, who was loading her vehicle, and demanded money. The woman handed over an undisclosed amount of money and entered the driver’s seat to leave. Shipley got into the vehicle’s front passenger seat and demanded the woman perform a lewd act. While inside her car, Shipley took the car keys and refused to let her go.

A passerby spoke to Shipley and the woman, then called 9-1-1 after finding the interaction to be suspicious. Shipley eventually left the woman’s vehicle. He was arrested by responding troopers without incident. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

Shipley was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $56,000.00 cash bond.

Image of Victor Shipley