On February 16, 2018, the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) was notified of a robbery and assault of a 62-year-old female in the parking lot of Delaware Park, where he victim’s purse, containing cash and various debit cards was taken, according to police.
Officials said Delaware Park located surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle; however, the vehicle’s registration tag was reported stolen in July 2017. Through investigative measures and with assistance of surrounding law enforcement agencies, Jeffrey S. Strengari, 41, of Elkton, was developed as a possible suspect, according to police.
Information was obtained from the New Castle County Police, Maryland and Pennsylvania State Police about the suspect and vehicle.
On February 18, 2018, DGE received another report of a robbery in the parking lot of Delaware Park involving 61-year-old female victim in which cash was again stolen, according to police.
Shortly before that incident, at 9:03 am, the Newark Police Department received a report of a theft from an 86-year-old female. This victim was inside her car, parked in a handicap space, near the Suburban Plaza ACME, when the suspect approached and while engaging in conversation, reached into the car and stole her purse, according to reports.
The suspect and the suspect vehicle were the same in both incidents, according to police. The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by Newark Police officers near the WAWA on Elkton Road, near the Maryland state line. The car fled towards Maryland at a high rate of speed before it could be stopped.
The Division of Gaming Enforcement with the assistance of Delaware State Police Troop 2 Detectives conducted surveillance at Delaware Park and other locations the suspect was known to frequent. On February 23, 2018, the United States Marshall Task Force located the suspect at an Union Hospital in Elkton, Maryland.
He was transported to the Wilmington Hospital and arraigned. He was committed in default of $50,500 cash bond to the Department of Corrections. Officials did not say why Strengari was in the hospital.
Jeffrey S. Strengari is being charged with the following:
Division of Gaming Enforcement:
Occurred Date: February 18, 2018
1 Count: Robbery 1 st Degree by Threatening Death upon another person
1 Count: Terroristic Threatening
Occurred Date: February 16, 2018
1 Count: Robbery 1 st – Person over 62 years of age
1 Count: Assault 2 nd – Person over 62 years of age
Newark Police Department:
Occurred Date: February 18, 2018
1 Count: Felony theft – Person over 62 years of age.