Police: 70-year-Old Jailed, Released After Tenant Dispute Goes South

Delaware State Police arrested 70-year-old James Harding of Rehoboth Beach for aggravated menacing and terroristic threatening following an incident involving a firearm on Wednesday morning, according to Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto.

DeMalto said on April 6th, 2022 at approximately 11:40 a.m., troopers responded to the 33000 block of Clover Street in Lewes for a report of a landlord-tenant dispute. The ensuing investigation revealed that Harding and a family member were involved in a disagreement with the tenants of a residence at this location. During the dispute, Harding pointed a gun at a 39-year-old male victim according to DeMalto. Harding also threatened to shoot a 34-year-old female victim and threatened bodily harm to a 55-year-old female victim added DeMalto. No one was injured during this encounter. Responding troopers made contact with Harding in his vehicle at the residence, and he was taken into custody without incident.

Harding was transported to Troop 7 and charged with the following crimes:

Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Terroristic Threatening (two counts)
Harding was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court # 2 and released on his own recognizance. No other arrests were made.

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