Police make arrest Canby Park incident involving a teenage victim.
Officials said on Monday, July 20, 2020, at approximately 07:00 A.M. Officers from the New Castle County Police were dispatched to Canby Park near Banning Road for a reported sexual assault that occurred at 6:40 A.M.
The teenage victim told detectives that she was walking in the park when she was approached by the suspect near St. Elizabeth’s High School. The suspect proceeded to walk alongside of the victim as he engaged her in conversation, officials said Wednesday. A short time later the suspect displayed a weapon and sexually assaulted the victim, according to police.
Officials said yesterday, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, Detectives were able to identify 22-year-old Nijir Lee as the suspect in this case and the Special Investigations Squad apprehended him without incident.
Nijir Lee has been charged with one count of Felony Rape in the first degree, one count of felony Robbery in the first degree, one count of felony Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one felony count of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $223,000 cash bail.
“I am very sorry that the victim had to endure such a tragic event. The victim’s bravery during this encounter allowed our investigators to quickly identify and arrest this predator” said New Castle County Police Chief Colonel Vaughn Bond Jr.
Correction: An earlier version of this story dated the incident as occurring on Monday, July 20, 2012. The date has been corrected.
