Delaware State Police are investigating an attempted robbery that resulted in a vehicle crash on Friday night.
Officials said on July 19, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Railroad Avenue in Townsend for a reported robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that two young victims, a 19-year-old man from Middletown, and an 18-year-old woman from Newark, had arranged to sell vape pens to an unknown individual they had met through social media.
When they arrived at a residence on the 500 block of Railroad Avenue, the victims were approached by two suspects on foot. The suspects entered the vehicle, brandished handguns, and demanded the vape pens and money.
In response, the 19-year-old driver began honking the vehicle’s horn, causing one suspect to flee. The second suspect remained inside as the driver attempted to escape by driving away. The vehicle veered off Railroad Avenue and collided with a utility pole before crashing into a nearby residence. After the crash, all individuals exited the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver pursued the suspects, at which point one of the suspects fired a shot at him. The suspects then fled the scene.
The 18-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash. No other injuries were reported, including from the occupied residence that was struck. Currently, there is no description of the suspects, and no video surveillance or images are available at this time.