Rehoboth Beach – Just before 10:00 Sunday morning, June 30, 2019, officers responded to Grove Park, located next to the Rehoboth Beach Museum on Rehoboth Avenue, for a complaint of a disorderly subject. Through their investigation officers learned that the victim was coming out of a bathroom stall when he was confronted by Charles Lecates, 66, of Seaford. Police said Lecates and the victim were familiar with one another from a previous dispute.
Lecates struck the victim in the back of the head with a metal cane, causing injury to the victim’s head, according to police. Lecates was located in Grove Park, still in possession of the cane and taken into custody without incident. At the time of arrest, Lecates was also in possession of a large concealed knife, officials added.
Lecates was charged with the following felonies; 1 count of Assault Second Degree, 1 count of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, 1 count of Possession of a Weapon in a Safe Zone, 1 count of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. He was also charged with Disorderly Conduct which is a misdemeanor.
Lecates was committed to Sussex Correction Institution in default of $75,500.00 secured bail.