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Update – Police have made arrest in a story we first brought you early Wednesday morning.
Newark – On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at approximately 1:50 a.m. the Newark Police (NPD) responded to the area of 46 East Main Street in order to check for a possible assault that had just occurred in the area, according to Sgt. Gerald J. Bryda.
Bryda said officers were not able to locate anyone in the area at that time. NPD was able to review street-level cameras and observed what appeared to be an assault and robbery at that location.
At approximately 1:53 a.m. another NPD officer, unrelated to this incident, conducted a traffic stop of a Jeep Cherokee which was driving down East Main Street at a high rate of speed with no headlights on. The driver, 23-year-old Michael Hunter of Newark, was arrested for DUI, Driving Without Headlights, Driving While Suspended, No Proof of Insurance and Open Container in a Vehicle, according to Bryda. There were also two other passengers in the vehicle. They were identified as 23-year-old Matthew Peterson of Middletown and 25-year-old Zachery Hedinger of Bear. The Jeep Cherokee was towed from the traffic stop.
While continuing to conduct the initial investigation, the possible victim’s identification was located in the area of the assault/robbery, said Bryda. The victim, a 21-year-old male UD student, was later located in his dorm room with blood coming from his forehead. An ambulance was called and he was transported to Christiana Hospital for the head injury.
Detectives began to investigate the case and upon a detailed review of the surveillance videos in the area, the victim is seen walking out of the 7-11 on East Main Street. He briefly speaks with the three suspects. As the victim walks away, one of the suspects runs up behind the victim and punches him on the side of the head, causing him to immediately fall to the ground unconscious, said Bryda.
As the victim was on the ground, the three suspects rummaged through his pockets and appeared to steal some items, added Bryda. The suspects then fled to a parking lot and left the area in a Jeep Cherokee, the same vehicle stopped for the earlier described DUI investigation, according to Bryda.
Michael Hunter and Zachery Hedinger were arrested on 2/14/18 when they came into Newark Police Headquarters in order to claim the towed vehicle. Hunter was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. He was transported to Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $57,000 secured bail. Hedinger was charged with Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. He was also transported to Howard Young Correctional Institute after failing to post $50,000 secured bail.
Warrants have been obtained for the third suspect, Matthew Peterson, charging him with Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Newark Police.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Bystricky at [email protected] or 302-366-710 ext. 3136.
Breaking Report
Newark – At approximately 5:45 this morning the University of Delaware’s UD1 Ambulance crew responded to a dorm in the unit block of Ray Street for reports of an assault. Newark Police were on scene investigating as the ambulance crew responded.
One patient was transported to the hospital with undetermined injuries.
Reports from the scene indicate that the incident may have occurred closer to 1:50 this morning.
At 1:56 am Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder ambulance crews were dispatched to the 7-11 at 46 E Main Sreet for reports of a person that had been injured during an assault. It’s unclear if the two incidents are related.
Developing