Armed Suspect Hid In Elderly Couples Car Before Robbing Them

Dover– The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery that occurred last evening, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on October 23, 2019, at approximately 7:45 p.m., when Troopers responded to Red Tail Drive, Quails Nest, Dover for a report of a robbery. Further investigation revealed that two victims, a 74-year-old female, and her 78-year-old husband were driving in their vehicle after returning from a restaurant in Dover.

Upon entering their development, an unknown suspect suddenly sat up from the backseat of the vehicle and asked them to stop. The victims advised they did not realize someone was in their vehicle and do not know how, or where exactly the person entered their vehicle.

The victims advised they stopped the car at which time the suspect grabbed the front male passenger and threatened to cut him with a knife if he didn’t give him money. The suspect then reached to the floor area of the front passenger seat and retrieved the female victim’s purse.

A brief struggle ensued between the male passenger and the suspect over the purse. Subsequently, the female driver accelerated their vehicle towards a residence and upon arriving at the residence, both victims exited the vehicle and realized the suspect was no longer inside. Both victims did not sustain injury and advised they did not actually see a weapon and that the suspect only implied he was in possession of a knife.

The suspect was described as a black male, between 35-50 years of age.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Troop 3, Major Crimes Unit, Detective Ford at 302-697-4454.