Wilmington – New Castle County Police detectives are investigating a report of a kidnapping that occurred last night, February 19, 2017 at about 7:45 p.m. in the community of Arundel Apartments, according to New Castle County Police Spokesman JP Piser. This incident appears to be related to the February 13, 2017 kidnapping at Top of the Hill Apartments, Piser added.
Piser said that last night, Sunday, February 19, at about 8:40 p.m., County Police were dispatched to the area of Arundel Apartments for a reported kidnapping. Police contacted the female victim who stated she arrived home to the apartment complex at about 7:45 p.m. when she was approached by a male in the common area of her apartment building, said Piser.
The man was wearing a black mask, dark clothing and brandished a handgun. The suspect forced the victim into her apartment where he demanded money, according Piser. The suspect physically and sexually assaulted the victim in her apartment, according to authorities.
Piser said that the suspect then forced the victim outside and into her vehicle where he drove her to several ATMs in the Pike Creek area and forced her to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect and victim went to the following ATMs in the Pike Creek Area: PNC Bank on Limestone Road, Wells Fargo on Limestone at Papermill Road, M&T Bank on Limestone Road, Artisan’s Bank in the Linden Hill Shopping Center. During this incident, similar to the kidnapping at Top of the Hill Apartments, the suspect spoke to himself about his intentions and plans, according to Piser.
The victim was able to escape and call 911. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment, where she was released with non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives are actively investigating the kidnapping and believe it is the same suspect who committed the kidnapping at Top of the Hill Apartments on February 13, 2017.
Piser said that in the February 13, 2017 incident, the victim was taken from the parking lot of her apartment complex at approximately 7:45 p.m. and forced into her own vehicle by the suspect. The suspect then drove around the area and forced the victim to withdraw an undisclosed amount of cash from the ATM at the PNC Bank on Marsh Road, said Piser. During the ordeal, the suspect assaulted the victim by striking her in the face and had unlawful sexual contact with the victim while in the vehicle, according to Piser.
The suspect is described as male 5’8”-5’10” tall, medium build with a distinct accent.
Police are offering the following safety tips:
Be aware of your surroundings
Don’t be distracted by texting- keep your eyes and ears open and hands free
Call someone while walking
Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
Trust your gut
Avoid hiding spots- walk in well-lit visible places
Change up your routine
Anyone who is interested in community block watch or community programs can contact the Community Services Unit at (302) 395-8050.
Police are asking anyone with surveillance footage of the area or information pertaining to this investigation to please contact Detective Levy via e-mail at [email protected].
Citizens can also submit a tip by calling (302) 573-2800 or via our website at http://www.nccpd.com. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or visit us on Facebook at New Castle County Police Department.
Citizens who currently have the smartphone application are encouraged to use the “submit tip” tab to submit tips. Select a topic by using the “drop down” and complete the tip by “clicking” submit. The New Castle County Police Smartphone Application is free to download and available for all iPhone and Android smartphones.
A reward of up to $20,000.00 is available to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of those responsible for violent crimes being investigated by this agency.